Robin commanded his wight young men, Under the green-wood tree, They shall lie in that same sort; That the Sheriff might them see. CXCVI All night lay that proud Sheriff, In his breech and in his shirt, No wonder it was in green-wood, Tho’ his sides do smerte[817]. CXCVII ‘Make glad cheer,’ said Robin Hood, ‘Sheriff, for charity! For this is our ordèr, i-wis, Under the green-wood tree.’ CXCVIII ‘This is harder order,’ said the Sheriff, ‘Than any anchor[818] or frere[819]; For all the gold in merry England I would not long dwell here.’ CXCIX ‘All these twelve months,’ said Robin ‘Thou shalt dwell with me; I shall thee teach, proud Sheriff, An outlaw for to be.’ CC ‘Or I here another night lie,’ said the Sheriff, ‘Robin, now I pray thee, Smite off my head rather to-morne[820], And I forgive it thee. CCI ‘Let me go,’ then said the Sheriff, ‘For saint Charity! And I will be thy best friend That ever yet had thee.’ CCII ‘Thou shalt swear me an oath,’ said Robin, ‘On my bright brand[821], Thou shalt never await[822] me scathe[823], By water nor by land. CCIII ‘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.’ CCIV Now has the Sheriff i-sworn his oath, And home he began to gone, He was as full of green-wood As ever was hip[824] of stone. _The Fourth Fytte_ How Robin Hood was repaid his Loan CCV The Sheriff dwelled in Nottingham, He was fain that he was gone; And Robin and his merry men Went to wood anon. CCVI ‘Go we to dinner,’ said Little John: Robin Hood said ‘Nay; For I fear Our Lady be wroth with me, For she sent me not my pay.’ CCVII ‘Have no doubt, master,’ said Little John; ‘Yet is not the sun at rest; For I dare say and safely swear, The Knight is true and trest[825].’ CCVIII ‘Take thy bow in hande,’ said Robin, ‘Let Much wend with thee, And so shall William Scathèlock, And no man abide with me. CCIX ‘And walk ye up unto the Sayles, And so to Watling Street, And wait after some uncouth guest, Upchance ye may them meet. CCX ‘Whether he be a messenger, Or a man that mirthès can[826], Of my good he shall have some, If he be a poorè man.’ CCXI Forth then started Little John, Half in tray and teen[827], And girt him with a full good sword, Under a mantle of green. CCXII They wenten up unto the Sayles, Those yeomen allè three; They lookèd east, they lookèd west, They mightè no man see. CCXIII