71. ‘Now will I be porter,’ said Little John, ‘And take the keys in hond’; He took the way to Robin Hood, And soon he him unbound. 72. He gave him a good sword in his hand, His head therewith for to keep, And thereas the wall was lowest Anon down can they leap. 73. By that the cock began to crow, The day began to spring; The sheriff found the jailor dead, The comyn bell made he ring. 74. He made a cry throughout all the town, Whether he be yeoman or knave, That could bring him Robin Hood, His warison he should have. 75. ‘For I dare never,’ said the sheriff, ‘Come before our king; For if I do, I wot certain For sooth he will me hing.’ 76. The sheriff made to seek Nottingham, Both by street and sty, And Robin was in merry Sherwood, As light as leaf on lynd. 77. Then bespake good Little John, To Robin Hood can he say, ‘I have done thee a good turn for an evil; Quite thee when thou may. 78. ‘I have done thee a good turn,’ said Little John, ‘For sooth as I you say; I have brought thee under green wood lyne; Farewell, and have good day.’ 79. ‘Nay, by my troth,’ said Robin Hood, ‘So shall it never be: I make thee master,’ said Robin Hood, ‘Of all my men and me.’ 80. ‘Nay, by my troth,’ said Little John, ‘So shall it never be; But let me be a fellow,’ said Little John, ‘No nother keep I be.’ 81. Thus John gat Robin Hood out of prison, Certain withouten layn; When his men saw him whole and sound, For sooth they were full fain. 82. They filled in wine, and made them glad, Under the leavës smale, And gat pasties of venison, That goodë was with ale. 83. Then wordë came to our king How Robin Hood was gone, And how the sheriff of Nottingham Durst never look him upon. 84. Then bespake our comely king, In an anger hee: ‘Little John has beguiled the sheriff, In faith so has he me. 85. ‘Little John has beguiled us both, And that full well I see; Or else the sheriff of Nottingham High hangëd should he be. 86. ‘I made them yeomen of the crown, And gave them fee with my hand; I gave them grith,’ said our king; ‘Throughout all merry England. 87. ‘I gave them grith,’ then said our king; ‘I say, so mote I the, Forsooth such a yeoman as he is one In all England are not three. 88. ‘He is true to his master,’ said our king; ‘I say, by sweet Saint John, He lovës better Robin Hood Than he does us each one. 89. ‘Robin Hood is ever bound to him, Both in street and stall; Speak no more of this matter,’ said our king; ‘But John has beguiled us all.’ 90. Thus ends the talking of the monk, And Robin Hood i-wis; God, that is ever a crownëd king, Bring us all to his bliss!