17.

When Robin came to Nottingham, Certainly withouten layn, He prayed to G.o.d and mild Mary To bring him out safe again.

18.

He goes into Saint Mary church, And kneeled down before the rood; All that ever were the church within, Beheld well Robin Hood.

19.

Beside him stood a great-headed monk, I pray to G.o.d woe he be!

Full soon he knew good Robin, As soon as he him see.

20.

Out at the door he ran, Full soon and anon; All the gates of Nottingham, He made to be sparred everychone.

21.

'Rise up,' he said, 'thou proud sheriff, Busk thee, and make thee bown; I have spied the kinges felon, For sooth he is in this town.

22.

'I have spied the false felon, As he standes at his ma.s.s; It is long of thee,' said the monk, 'And ever he fro us pa.s.s.

23.

'This traitor name is Robin Hood, Under the greenwood lynd; He robbed me once of a hundred pound, It shall never out of my mind.'

24.

Up then rose this proud sheriff, And radly made him yare; Many was the mother son, To the kirk with him can fare.

25.

In at the doors they throly thrast, With staves full good wone; 'Alas, alas!' said Robin Hood, 'Now miss I Little John.'

26.

But Robin took out a two-hand sword That hanged down by his knee; Thereas the sheriff and his men stood thickest, Thitherward would he.

27.

Thrice throughout them he ran then For sooth as I you say, And wounded many a mother son, And twelve he slew that day.

28.

His sword upon the sheriff head Certainly he brake in two; 'The smith that thee made,' said Robin, 'I pray G.o.d work him woe.'

29.

'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.'

30.

Robin into the churche ran, Throughout them everilkone, ... ... ...

31.

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.

32.

'Let be your rule,' said Little John, 'For his love that died on tree; Ye that should be doughty men; It is great shame to see.

33.

'Our master has been hard bestood, And yet scaped away; Pluck up your hearts and leave this moan, And hearken what I shall say.

34.

'He has served Our Lady many a day, And yet will, securly; Therefore I trust her specially No wicked death shall he die.

35.

'Therefore be glad,' said Little John, 'And let this mourning be; And I shall be the monkes guide, With the might of mild Marie.'

36.

'We will go but we two; And I meet him,' said Little John, ... ... ...

37.

'Look that ye keep well our tristel-tree, Under the leaves smale, And spare none of this venison That goes in this vale.'

38.

Forth then went these yeomen two, Little John and Much on fere, And looked on Much emes house, The highway lay full near.

39.

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.

40.

'By my faith,' said Little John to Much, 'I can thee tell tidinges good; I see where the monke comes riding, I know him by his wide hood.'

41.

They went into the way, these yeomen both, As curteis men and hend; They spyrred tidinges at the monk, As they had been his friende.

42.

'Fro whence come ye?' said Little John, 'Tell us tidinges, I you pray, Of a false outlaw, called Robin Hood, Was taken yesterday.

43.

'He robbed me and my fellows both Of twenty mark in certain; If that false outlaw be taken; For sooth we would be fain.'

44.

'So did he me,' said the monk, 'Of a hundred pound and more; I laid first hand him upon, Ye may thank me therefore.'

45.

'I pray G.o.d 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.

46.

'For Robin Hood has many a wild fellow, I tell you in certain; If they wist you rode this way, In faith ye should be slain.'

47.

As they went talking by the way, The monk and Little John, John took the monkes horse by the head, Full soon and anon.

48.

John took the monkes horse by the head, Forsooth as I you say; So did Much the little page, For he should not scape away.

49.