And out of it was gone. The porter rose anon certain, As soon as he heard John call; Little John was ready with a sword, And bare him to the wall. "Now will I be porter," said Little John, "And take the keys in hand;" He took the way to Robin Hood, And soon he him unbound. He gave him a good sword in his hand, His head therewith for to keep, And there as the wall was lowest Anon down can they leap. By that the cock began to crow, The day began to spring, The sheriff found the jailor dead, The coming bell made he ring. He made a cry throughout all the tow[n], Whether he be yeoman or knave, That could bring him Robin Hood, His warison he should have. "For I dare never," said the sheriff, "Come before our king, For if I do, I wot certain, Forsooth he will me hang." The sheriff made to seek Nottingham, Both by street and stye, And Robin was in merry Sherwood As list as leaf on lind. Then bespake good Little John, To Robin Hood can he say, "I have done thee a good turn for an evil, Quit thee when thou may. "I have done thee a good turn,"said Littlejohn, "Forsooth as I you say; I have brought thee under green wood lind; Farewell, and have good day." "Nay, by my troth," said Robin Hood, "So shall it never be; I make thee master," said Robin Hood, "Of all my men and me." (_warison,_ reward. _stye_, lane. _list_, pleased.) "Nay, by my troth," said Little John, "So shall it never be, But let me be a fellow," said Little John, "None other kepe I'll be." Thus John got Robin Hood out of prison, Certain withouten lain; When his men saw him whole and sound, Forsooth they were full fain. They filled in wine, and made them glad, Under the leaves small, And eat pasties of venison, That good was with ale. Then word came to our king, How Robin Hood was gone, And how the sheriff of Nottingham Durst never look him upon. Then bespake our comely king, In an anger high, "Little John has beguiled the sheriff, In faith so has he me, "Little John has beguiled us both, And that full well I see, Or else the sheriff of Nottingham High hanged should he be. (_kepe I'll be_, relations I'll have. _lain_, deception.) "I made them yeomen of the crown, And gave them fee with my hand, I gave them grith," said our king, Throughout all merry England. "I gave them grith," then said our king, "I say, so might I thee, Forsooth such a yeoman as he is one In all England are not three. "He is true to his master," said our king, "I say, by sweet Saint John; He loves better Robin Hood, Then he does us each one. "Robin Hood is ever bound to him, Both in street and stall; Speak no more of this matter," said our king, "But John has beguiled us all."