"Master, ye be to blame! I was mis-served of my dinner, When I was with you at home!" Soon he was to supper set, And served with silver white: And when the Sheriff saw his vessel, For sorrow, he might not eat! "Make good cheer," said ROBIN HOOD, "Sheriff! for charity! And for the love of Little JOHN Thy life is granted to thee!" When they had supped well, The day was all agone, ROBIN commanded Little JOHN To draw off his hosen and his shoon, His kirtle and his courtepy, That was furred well fine; And took him a green mantle, To lap his body therein. ROBIN commanded his wight young men, Under the green-wood tree, They shall lay in that same suit, That the Sheriff might them see. All night lay that proud Sheriff, In his breech and in his shirt: No wonder it was in green wood Though his sides do smart. "Make glad cheer," said ROBIN HOOD, "Sheriff, for charity! For this is our order, I-wis, Under the green-wood tree!" "This is harder order," said the Sheriff, "Than any Anchor or Frere! For all the gold in merry England, I would not long dwell here!" "All these twelve months," said ROBIN, "Thou shalt dwell with me! I shall thee teach, proud Sheriff, An outlaw for to be!" "Ere I here another night lie," said the Sheriff, "ROBIN, now I pray thee! Smite off my head, rather to-morn, And I forgive it thee! Let me go then," said the Sheriff, "For saint charity! And I will be thy best friend, That yet had ye!" "Thou shalt swear me an oath!" said ROBIN, "On my bright brand, Thou shalt never await me scathe! By water ne by land! And if thou find any of my men, By night, or by day, Upon thine oath, thou shalt swear To help them that thou may!" Now has the Sheriff ysworn this oath, And home he began to gone; He was as full of green wood, As ever was heap of stone. +¶ The fourth fytte.+