"Take twelve of thy wight yeomen Well weaponed by thy side. Such one would thyself slon That twelve dare not abide." (_slon_, slay.) "Of all my merry men," said Robin, "By my faith I will none have; But Little John shall bear my bow Till that me list to draw." "Thou shall bear thine own," said Little John, "Master, and I will bear mine; And we will shoot a penny," said Little John, "Under the green wood line." "I will not shoot a penny," said Robin Hood, "In faith, Little John, with thee, But ever for one as thou shoots," said Robin, "In faith I hold thee three." Thus shot they forth, these yeomen two, Both at busk and broom, Till Little John won of his master Five shillings to hose and shoon. A ferly strife fell them between. As they went by the way; Little John said he had won five shillings, And Robin Hood said shortly nay. (_line_, tree. _busk_, bush. _ferly_, wonderful.) With that Robin Hood lied little John, And smote him with his hand; Little John waxed wroth therewith, And pulled out his bright brand. "Were thou not my master," said little John, "Thou shouldest be hit full sore; Get thee a man where thou wilt, Robin, For thou gets me no more." Then Robin goes to Nottingham, Himself morning alone, And Little John to merry Sherwood, The paths he knew ilkone. When Robin came to Nottingham, Certainly withouten lain, He prayed to God and mild Mary To bring him out safe again. He goes into saint Mary church, And kneeled down before the rood; All that ever were the church within Beheld well Robin Hood. Beside him stood a great-headed monk, I pray to God woe he be; Full soon he knew good Robin As soon as he him see. (_ilkone_, each one. _lain_, hindrance (?)) Out at the door he ran Full soon and anon; All the gates of Nottingham He made to be sparred everyone. "Rise up,' he said, "thou proud sheriff, Busk thee and make thee boun; I have spied the king's felon, Forsooth he is in this town. "I have spied the false felon, As he stands at his mass; It is long of thee," said the monk, "An ever he fro us pass. "This traitor's name is Robin Hood; Under the green wood lind, He robbed me once of a hundred pound, It shall never out of my mind." Up then rose this proud sheriff, And radly made him yare; Many was the mother son To the kirk with him can fare. In at the door they throly thrast With staves full God wone. "Alas, alas," said Robin Hood, "Now miss I Little John." (_sparred_, shut. _boun_, ready. _lind_, tree. _radly_, quickly. _yaref_ ready. _throly_, boldly. _thrast_, pressed. _ivone_, knows.) But Robin took out a two-hand sword That hanged down by his knee; There as the sheriff and his men stood thickest, Thitherward would he.