"Wher is the munke that these shuld haue browzt?"
Oure kynge gan say;
"Be my trouthe," seid Litull Jone,
"He dyed aftur the way."225
The kyng gaf Moche and Litul Jon
xx pound in sertan,
And made theim zemen of the crowne,
And bade theim go agayn.
He gaf Johne the seel in hand,230
The scheref for to bere,
To brynge Robyn hym to,
And no man do hym dere.
Johne toke his leve at oure kyng,
The sothe as I yow say;235
The next way to Notyngham
To take he zede the way.
When Johne came to Notyngham
The zatis were sparred ychone;
Johne callid vp the porter,240
He answerid sone anon.
"What is the cause," seid Litul John,
"Thou sparris the zates so fast?"
"Because of Robyn Hode," seid [the] porter,
In depe prison is cast.245
"Johne, and Moche, and Wylle Scathlok,
For sothe as I yow say,
Thir slew oure men vpon oure wallis,
And sawtene vs euery day."
Litulle Johne spyrred aftur the schereff,250
And sone he hym fonde;
He oppyned the kyngus privè seelle,
And gaf hym in his honde.
"When the schereff saw the kyngus seelle,
He did of his hode anon;255
"Wher is the munke that bare the letturs?"
He seid to Litulle Johne.
"He is so fayn of hym," seid Litulle Johne,
"For sothe as I yow sey,
He has made hym abot of Westmynster,260
A lorde of that abbay."