John toke his leve at oure Kyng,
The sothe as I yow say;
The next[999] way to Notyngham
To take, he yede[1000] the way.
LXI
Whan John came to Notyngham
The yatis were sparred ychon[1001];
John callid up the porter,
He answerid sone anon.
LXII
‘What is the cause,’ seid Litull John,
‘Thou sparris the yates so fast?’—
‘Because of Robyn Hode,’ seid the porter,
‘In depe prison is cast.
LXIII
‘John and Moch and Wyll Scathlok,
Ffor sothe as I yow say,
Thei slew oure men upon our wallis,
And sawten[1002] us every day.’
LXIV
Litull John spyrred after the Schereff,
And sone he hym fonde;
He oppyned the Kyngus prive seell,
And gaf hym in his honde.