The scheref made John gode chere,
And gaf hym wine of the best;
At nyzt thei went to her bedde,
And euery man to his rest.265
When the scheref was on-slepe
Dronken of wine and ale,
Litul Johne and Moche for sothe
Toke the way vnto the [jale].
Litul Johne callid vp the jayler,270
And bade hym ryse anon;
He seid Robyn Hode had brokyn preson,
And out of hit was gon.
The portere rose anon sertan,
As sone as he herd John calle;275
Litul Johne was redy with a swerd,
And bare hym to the walle.
"Now will I be porter," seid Litul Johne,
"And take the keyes in honde;"
He toke the way to Robyn Hode,280
And sone he hym vnbonde.
He gaf hym a gode swerd in his hond,
His hed with for to kepe,
And ther as the walle was lowyst
Anon down can thei lepe.285
Be that the cok began to crow,
The day began to sprynge,
The scheref fond the jaylier ded,
The comyn belle made he rynge.
He made a crye thoroowt al the tow[n],290
Whedur he be zoman or knave,
That cowthe brynge hym Robyn Hode,
His warisone he shuld haue.
"For I dar neuer," said the scheref,
"Cum before oure kynge,295
For if I do, I wot serten,
For sothe he wil me henge."
The scheref made to seke Notyngham,
Bothe be strete and stye,
And Robyn was in mery Scherwode300
As lizt as lef on lynde.