‘Ffor I dar never,’ said the Scheref,
‘Cum before oure Kyng;
Ffor if I do, I wot serten
Ffor sothe he wil me heng.’
LXXVI
The Scheref made to seke Notyngham,
Bothe be strete and stye[1007],
And Robyn was in mery Scherwode,
As light as lef on lynde.
LXXVII
Then bespake gode Litull John,
To Robyn Hode can he say,
‘I have done the a gode turne for an evyll,
Quyte the whan thou may.
LXXVIII
‘I have done the a gode turne,’ seid Litull John,
‘Fforsothe as I yow say;
I have brought the under grene-wode lyne;
Ffare wel, and have gode day.’
LXXIX
‘Nay, be my trouth,’ seid Robyn Hode,
‘So shall hit never be;
I make the maister,’ seid Robyn Hode,
‘Off alle my men and me.’