He gaf John the seel in hand, The Sheref for to bere, To bryng Robyn hym to, And no man do hym dere[998]. LX John toke his leve at oure Kyng, The sothe as I yow say; The next[999] way to Notyngham To take, he yede[1000] the way. LXI Whan John came to Notyngham The yatis were sparred ychon[1001]; John callid up the porter, He answerid sone anon. LXII ‘What is the cause,’ seid Litull John, ‘Thou sparris the yates so fast?’-- ‘Because of Robyn Hode,’ seid the porter, ‘In depe prison is cast. LXIII ‘John and Moch and Wyll Scathlok, Ffor sothe as I yow say, Thei slew oure men upon our wallis, And sawten[1002] us every day.’ LXIV Litull John spyrred after the Schereff, And sone he hym fonde; He oppyned the Kyngus prive seell, And gaf hym in his honde. LXV Whan the Scheref saw the Kyngus seell, He did of his hode[1003] anon: ‘Wher is the munke that bare the letturs?’ He seid to Litull John. LXVI ‘He is so fayn of hym,’ seid Litull John, ‘Fforsothe as I yow say, He has made hym abot of Westmynster, A lorde of that abbay.’ LXVII The Scheref made John godè chere, And gaf hym wyne of the best; At nyght thei went to her[1004] beddè, And every man to his rest. LXVIII When the Scheref was on slepe, Dronken of wyne and ale, Litull John and Moch forsothe Toke the way unto the jale. LXIX Litull John callid up the jayler, And bade hym rise anon; He seyd Robyn Hode had brokyn prison, And out of hit was gon. LXX The porter rose anon sertan, As sone as he herd John calle; Litull John was redy with a swerd, And bare hym to the walle. LXXI ‘Now wil I be porter,’ seid Litull John, ‘And take the keyes in honde:’ He toke the way to Robyn Hode, And sone he hym unbonde. LXXII He gaf hym a gode swerd in his hond, His hed therwith for to kepe, And ther as the walle was lowyst Anon down can thei lepe. LXXIII Be that the cok began to crow, The day began to spryng, The Scheref fond the jaylier ded; The comyn bell[1005] made he ryng. LXXIV He made a crye thoroout al the town, Wheder he be yoman or knave, That cowthè bryng hym Robyn Hode, His warison[1006] he shuld have. LXXV ‘Ffor I dar never,’ said the Scheref, ‘Cum before oure Kyng; Ffor if I do, I wot serten Ffor sothe he wil me heng.’ LXXVI The Scheref made to seke Notyngham, Bothe be strete and stye[1007], And Robyn was in mery Scherwode, As light as lef on lynde. LXXVII Then bespake gode Litull John, To Robyn Hode can he say, ‘I have done the a gode turne for an evyll, Quyte the whan thou may. LXXVIII