It was upon a mery day,
That yonge men wolde go shete,[150]
Lytell Johan fet his bowe anone,
And sayd he wolde them mete.
Thre tymes Lytell Johan shot about,
And alway cleft[151] the wande,
The proude sheryf of Notyngham
By the markes gan stande. {28}
The sheryf swore a full grete othe,
By hym that dyed on a tree,