As thei went talkyng be the way, The munke and Litulle Johne, Johne toke the munkes horse be the hede 185 Ful sone and anone. Johne toke the munkes horse be the hed, For sothe as I yow say, So did Muche the litulle page, For he shulde not stirre away. 190 Be the golett of the hode Johne pulled the munke downe; Johne was nothynge of hym agast, He lete hym falle on his crowne. Litulle Johne was sore agrevyd,[L195] 195 And drew out his swerde in hye; The munke saw he shulde be ded, Lowd mercy can he crye. "He was my maister," seid Litulle Johne, "That thou hase browzt in bale; 200 Shalle thou neuer cum at oure kynge For to telle hym tale." John smote of the munkes hed, No longer wolde he dwelle; So did Moche the litulle page, 205 For ferd lest he wold tell. Ther thei beryed hem both In nouther mosse nor lynge, And Litulle Johne and Muche infere Bare the letturs to oure kyng. 210 * * * * * * He kneled down vpon his kne, "God zow saue, my lege lorde, "Jesus yow saue and se. "God yow saue, my lege kyng," To speke Johne was fulle bolde; 215 He gaf hym the letturs in his hond, The kyng did hit unfold. The kyng red the letturs anon, And seid, "so mot I the, Ther was neuer zoman in mery Inglond 220 I longut so sore to see. "Wher is the munke that these shuld haue browzt?" Oure kynge gan say; "Be my trouthe," seid Litull Jone, "He dyed aftur the way." 225 The kyng gaf Moche and Litul Jon xx pound in sertan, And made theim zemen of the crowne, And bade theim go agayn. He gaf Johne the seel in hand, 230 The scheref for to bere, To brynge Robyn hym to, And no man do hym dere. Johne toke his leve at oure kyng, The sothe as I yow say; 235 The next way to Notyngham To take he zede the way. When Johne came to Notyngham The zatis were sparred ychone; Johne callid vp the porter, 240 He answerid sone anon. "What is the cause," seid Litul John, "Thou sparris the zates so fast?" "Because of Robyn Hode," seid [the] porter, In depe prison is cast. 245 "Johne, and Moche, and Wylle Scathlok, For sothe as I yow say, Thir slew oure men vpon oure wallis, And sawtene vs euery day." Litulle Johne spyrred aftur the schereff, 250 And sone he hym fonde; He oppyned the kyngus privè seelle, And gaf hym in his honde.