‘Litull John has begyled us bothe
And that full wel I se;
Or ellis the Schereff of Notyngham
Hye hongut shulde he be.

LXXXVI

‘I made hem yemen of the crowne,
And gaf hem fee with my hond;
I gaf hem grith[1010],’ seid oure Kyng,
‘Thorowout all mery Inglond.

LXXXVII

‘I gaf theym grith,’ then seid oure Kyng;
‘I say, so mot I the,
Fforsothe soch a yeman as he is on
In all Inglond ar not thre.

LXXXVIII

‘He is trew to his maister,’ seid our Kyng;
‘I sey, be swete Seynt John,
He lovys better Robyn Hode
Then he dose us ychon.

LXXXIX

‘Robyn Hode is ever bond to hym,
Bothe in strete and stalle;
Speke no more of this mater,’ seid oure Kyng,
‘But John has begyled us alle.’

XC