Whan Robyn came to Notyngham,
Sertenly withoutene layne,
He prayed to God and myld Mary
To brynge hym out saue agayne.70
He gos into seynt Mary chirche,
And knelyd downe before the rode;
Alle that euer were the churche within
Beheld wel Robyne Hode.
Beside hym stode a gret-hedid munke,75
I pray to God woo he be;
Ful sone he knew gode Robyn
As sone as he hym se.
Out at the durre he ran
Ful sone and anon;80
Alle the zatis of Notyngham
He made to be sparred euerychone.
"Rise vp," he seid, "thou prowde schereff,
Buske the and make the bowne;
I haue spyed the kynges felone,85
For sothe he is in this towne.
"I haue spyed the false felone,
As he stondes at his masse;
Hit is longe of the," seide the munke,
"And euer he fro vs passe.90
"This traytur name is Robyn Hode;
Vnder the grene wode lynde,
[He robbyt me onys of a C pound,]
Hit shalle neuer out of my mynde."
Vp then rose this prowd schereff,95
And zade towarde hym zare;
Many was the modur son
To the kyrk with him can fare.
In at the durres thei throly thrast
With staves ful [gode ilkone],100
"Alas, alas," seid Robin Hode,
"Now mysse I Litulle Johne."
But Robyne toke out a too-hond sworde
That hangit down be his kne;
Ther as the schereff and his men stode thyckust,105
Thidurward wold he.