CXLI
They shoulder’d all, and made him room,
To wete[795] what he would say,
He took the yeoman by the hand
And gave him all the play;
CXLII
He gave him five mark for his wine,
There it lay on the mould,
And bade it should be set a-broach,
Drink who so would.
CXLIII
Thus long tarried this gentle Knight,
Till that play was done ...
So long abode Robin fasting,
Three hours after the noon.
The Third Fytte
How Little John robbed the Sheriff of Nottingham and delivered him into Robin Hood’s hands
CXLIV
Lithe and listen, gentlemen,
All that now be here,
Of Little John, that was the Knight’s man,
Good mirth shall ye hear.