‘Do gladly, Monk,’ said Robin Hood; ‘Gramerci, sir,’ said he. ‘Where is your Abbey, when you are at home, And who is your avowè[844]?’ CCXXXIII ‘Saint Mary’s Abbey,’ said the Monk, ‘Though I be simple here.’-- ‘In what office?’ said Robin; ‘Sir, the High Cellerèr.’ CCXXXIV ‘Ye be the more welcome,’ said Robin, ‘So ever mote I the[845]: Fill of the best wine,’ said Robin, ‘This Monk shall drink to me. CCXXXV ‘But I have great marvel,’ said Robin, ‘Of all this longè day; I dread Our Lady be wroth with me, She sent me not my pay.’ CCXXXVI ‘Have no doubt, master,’ said Little John, ‘Ye have no need, I say, This Monk hath brought it, I dare well swear, For he is of her Abbèy.’ CCXXXVII ‘And she was a borrow,’ said Robin, ‘Between a Knight and me, Of a little money that I him lent, Under the green-wood tree. CCXXXVIII ‘And if thou hast that silver brought, I pray thee let me see; And I shall helpè thee eftsoons[846], If thou have need to me.’ CCXXXIX The Monk swore a full great oath, With a sorry cheer, ‘Of the borrowhood[847] thou speak’st to me Heard I never ere.’-- CCXL ‘I makè mine avow to God, Monk, thou art to blame; For God is held a righteous Man, And so is eke his Dame[848]. CCXLI ‘Thou toldest with thine ownè tongue, Thou mayst not sayè naye, How thou art her servant, And servest her every day. CCXLII ‘And thou art made her messenger, My money for to pay; Therefore I can thee morè thank Thou art come at thy day. CCXLIII ‘What is in your coffers?’ said Robin, ‘Truthè tell thou me.’-- ‘Sir,’ he saidè, ‘twenty mark[849], All so mote I the.’ CCXLIV ‘If there be no more,’ said Robin, ‘I will not one pennỳ; If thou hast myster[850] of any more, More I shall lend to thee. CCXLV ‘And if I find more,’ said Robin, ‘I-wis thou shall it forgone; For of thy spending-silver, Monk, Thereof will I right none. CCXLVI ‘Go now forth, Little John, The truthè tell thou me; If there be no more but twenty mark, No penny that I see.’ CCXLVII Little John spread his mantle down, As he had done before, And he told out of the Monkès mail Eight hundred pound and more. CCXLVIII Little John let it lie full still, And went to his master in haste; ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘the Monk is true enough, Our Lady hath doubled your cast[851]!’-- CCXLIX ‘I makè mine avow to God, Monk, what told I thee? Our Lady is the truest woman That ever found I me. CCL ‘By dear-worth God,’ said Robin Hood, ‘To seek all England thorough, Yet found I never to my pay A muchè better borrow. CCLI