Little John drew a good sword, The cook took another in hand; They thought nothing for to flee, But stiffly for to stand. There they fought sor-e together, Two mile way and more, Might neither other harm don, The mountenance of an hour. "I make mine avow," said Little John, "And by my true lewt-e, Thou art one of the best swordmen That ever yet saw I me. Couldest thou shoot as well in a bow, To green wood thou shouldest with me, And two times in the year thy clothing I-changed should-e be; And every year of Robin Hood Twent-y mark to thy fee." "Put up thy sword," said the cook, "And fellows will we be." Then he fet to Little John The numbles of a doe, Good bread and full good wine, They ate and drank thereto. And when they had drunken well, Their troths together they plight, That they would be with Rob-in That ilke same day at night. They hied them to the treasure-house, As fast as they might gone, The locks that were of good steel They brake them every one; They took away the silver vessel, And all that they might get, Pi-eces, mas-ars, and spoons, Would they none forget; Also they took the good pence, Three hundred pound and three; And did them straight to Robin Hood, Under the green wood tree. "God thee save, my dear mast-er, And Christ thee save and see." And then said Rob-in to Little John, "Welcome might thou be; And also be that fair yeom-an Thou bringest there with thee. What tiding-es from Nottingham? Little John, tell thou me." "Well thee greeteth the proud sher-iff, And sendeth thee here by me, His cook and his silv-er vessel, And three hundred pound and three." "I make mine avow to God," said Robin, "And to the Trinit-y, It was never by his good will, This good is come to me." Little John him there bethought, On a shrewed wile, Five mile in the for-est he ran, Him happ-ed at his will; Then be met the proud sher-iff, Hunt-ing with hound and horn, Little John coud his curteysye, And kneel-ed him beforn: "God thee save, my dear mast-er, And Christ thee save and see." "Raynold Greenleaf," said the sher-iff, "Where hast thou now be?" "I have be in this for-est, A fair sight can I see, It was one of the fairest sights That ever yet saw I me; Yonder I see a right fair hart, His colour is of green, Seven score of deer upon an herd, Be with him all bedene; His tynde are so sharp, mast-er, Of sixty and well mo, That I durst not shoot for drede Lest they wold me slo." "I make mine avow to God," said the sheriff, "That sight would I fain see."