"When the schereff saw the kyngus seelle, He did of his hode anon; 255 "Wher is the munke that bare the letturs?" He seid to Litulle Johne. "He is so fayn of hym," seid Litulle Johne, "For sothe as I yow sey, He has made hym abot of Westmynster, 260 A lorde of that abbay." The scheref made John gode chere, And gaf hym wine of the best; At nyzt thei went to her bedde, And euery man to his rest. 265 When the scheref was on-slepe Dronken of wine and ale, Litul Johne and Moche for sothe Toke the way vnto the jale.[L269] Litul Johne callid vp the jayler, 270 And bade hym ryse anon; He seid Robyn Hode had brokyn preson, And out of hit was gon. The portere rose anon sertan, As sone as he herd John calle; 275 Litul Johne was redy with a swerd, And bare hym to the walle. "Now will I be porter," seid Litul Johne, "And take the keyes in honde;" He toke the way to Robyn Hode, 280 And sone he hym vnbonde. He gaf hym a gode swerd in his hond, His hed with for to kepe, And ther as the walle was lowyst Anon down can thei lepe. 285 Be that the cok began to crow, The day began to sprynge, The scheref fond the jaylier ded, The comyn belle made he rynge. He made a crye thoroowt al the tow[n], 290 Whedur he be zoman or knave, That cowthe brynge hym Robyn Hode, His warisone he shuld haue. "For I dar neuer," said the scheref, "Cum before oure kynge, 295 For if I do, I wot serten, For sothe he wil me henge." The scheref made to seke Notyngham, Bothe be strete and stye, And Robyn was in mery Scherwode 300 As lizt as lef on lynde. Then bespake gode Litulle Johne, To Robyn Hode can he say, "I haue done the a gode turne for an euylle, Quyte me whan thou may.[L305] 305 "I haue done the a gode turne," said Litulle Johne, "For sothe as I you saie; I haue brouzt the vnder grene wode lyne; Fare wel, and haue gode day." "Nay, be my trouthe," seid Robyn Hode, 310 "So shalle hit neuer be; I make the maister," seid Robyn Hode, "Off alle my men and me." "Nay, be my trouthe," seid Litulle Johne, "So shall hit neuer be, 315 But lat me be a felow," seid Litulle Johne, "Non odur kepe I'll be." Thus Johne gate Robyn Hode out of prisone, Sertan withoutyn layne; When his men saw hym hol and sounde, 320 For sothe they were ful fayne.