“I have brought hither the sheriff of Nottingham

This day to dine with thee.”

He is welcome to me, then said Little John,

I hope he will honestly pay ;

I know he has gold, if it be but well told,

Will serve us to drink a whole day.

Then Robin took his mantle from his back,

And laid it upon the ground ;

And out of the sheriffs portmantle

He told three hundred pound.