Thrice throughout them he ran, Forsooth as I you say, And wounded many a mother's son, And twelve he slew that day. His sword upon the sheriff's head Certainly he brake in two; "The smith that thee made," said Robin, "I pray to God work him woe. "For now am I weaponless," said Robin, "Alas, against my will; But if I may flee these traitors fro, I wot they will me kill." Robin in to the church ran, Throughout them everyone; ***** Some fell in swooning as they were dead, And lay still as any stone. None of them were in their mind But only Little John. "Let be your [dule],'' said Little John, "For His love that died on tree; Ye that should be doughty men, It is great shame to see. "Our master has been hard bestood, And yet scaped away; Pluck up your hearts and leave this moan, And hearken what I shall say. "He has served Our Lady many a day, And yet will securely; Therefore I trust in her specially No wicked death shall he die. "Therefore be glad," said Little John, "And let this mourning be, And I shall be the monk's guide, With the might of mild Mary. "We will go but we two And I meet him," said Little John, ***** "Look that ye keep well our tristil tree Under the leaves small, And spare none of this venison That goes in this vale." (_dule_, weeping. _tristil_, trysting. Forth then went these yeomen two, Little John and Much infere, And looked on Much emy's house The highway lay full near. Little John stood at a window in the morning, And looked forth at a stage; He was ware where the monk came riding, And with him a little page. "By my faith," said Little John to Much, "I can thee tell tidings good, I see where the monk comes riding, I know him by his wide hood." They went into the way these yeomen both, As courteous men and hende, They speered tidings at the monk, As they had been his friend. "Fro whence come ye," said Little John; "Tell us tidings, I you pray, Of a false outlaw [called Robin Rood], Was taken yesterday. "He robbed me and my fellows both Of twenty mark in certain. If that false outlaw be taken, Forsooth we would be fain." (_infere_, together. _emys_, uncle's. _hende_, gentle.) "So did he me," said the monk, "Of a hundred pound and more; I laid first hand him upon, Ye may thank me therefore." "I pray God thank you," said Little John, "And we will when we may; We will go with you, with your leave, And bring you on your way. "For Robin Hood has many a wild fellow, I tell you in certain; If they wist ye rode this way, In faith ye should be slain." As they went talking by the way, The monk and Little John, John took the monk's horse by the head Full soon and anon. John took the monk's horse by the head,