The Cook took another in hand; They thought nothing for to flee, But stiffly for to stand. There they fought sore together, Two mile way and more; Might neither other harm do The maintenance of an hour. "I make mine avow to God," said Little JOHN, "And by my true lewte! Thou art one of the best swordsmen That ever yet saw I me, Couldst thou shoot as well in a bow, To green wood, thou shouldst with me! And two times in the year, thy clothing Ychanged should be! And every year of ROBIN HOOD, Twenty marks to thy fee!" "Put up thy sword," said the Cook, "And fellows will we be!" Then he fetch to Little JOHN, The nombles of a doe, Good bread, and full good wine. They eat and drank thereto. And when they had drunken well, Their troths together they plight, That they would be with ROBIN That ilk same night. They did them to the treasure house As fast as they might go; The locks that were good steel, They brake them everych one. They took away the silver vessels, And all that they might get; Piece, mazers, ne spoons, Would they none forget. Also they took the good pence, Three hundred pounds and more: And did them strait to ROBIN HOOD Under the green-wood hoar. "God thee save, my dear master! And CHRIST thee save and see!" And then said ROBIN to Little JOHN, "Welcome might thou be! And also that fair yeoman, Thou bringest there with thee! What tidings from Nottingham, Little JOHN? tell thou me!" "Well thee greeteth the proud Sheriff! And send thee here by me, His Cook and his silver vessels, And three hundred pounds and three!" "I make mine avow to God!" said ROBIN, "And to the Trinity! It was never by his good-will This good is come to me!" Little JOHN him there bethought On a shrewd wile. Five miles in the forest he ran. Him happed at his will! Then he met the proud Sheriff Hunting with hounds and horn. Little JOHN could his courtesy, And kneeled him beforne. "God thee save, my dear Master! And CHRIST thee save and see!" "REYNOLD GREENLEAF!" said the Sheriff, "Where hast thou now be?" "I have been in this forest; 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 a herd, Be with him all bedeen, His tynde are so sharp, Master, Of sixty and well mo, That I durst not shoot for dread, Lest they would me slo!" "I make mine avow to God!" said the Sheriff, "That sight would I fain see!" "Busk you thitherward, my dear Master Anon, and wend with me!" The Sheriff rode, and Little JOHN, Of foot he was full smart; And when they came afore ROBIN, "Lo, here is the master Hart!" Still stood the proud Sheriff: A sorry man was he! "Woe the worth, REYNOLD GREENLEAF, Thou hast betrayed me!" "I make mine avow to God," said Little JOHN,