They took away the silver vessel, And all that they might get, Pieces, masars[810], and spoons, Would they none forget;
Also they took the good pence, Three hundred pound and three; And did them straight to Robin Hood, Under the green-wood tree.
‘God thee save, my dear master, And Christ thee save and see!’ And then said Robin to Little John, ‘Welcome might thou be;
‘And also be that fair yeoman Thou bringest there with thee. What tidings from Nottingham Little John, tell thou me?’--
‘Well thee greeteth the proud Sheriff, And send thee here by me His cook and his silver vessel, And three hundred pound and three.’--
‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin, ‘And to the Trinity, It was never by his good will, This good is come to me.’
Little John him there bethought, On a shrewèd wile, Five mile in the forest he ran, Him happèd at his will.
Then he met the proud Sheriff, Hunting with hound and horn, Little John cou’d[811] his courtesy, And kneelèd him beforn:
‘God thee save, my dear master, And Christ thee save and see!’-- ‘Reynold Greenleaf,’ said the Sheriff, ‘Where hast thou now be?’--
‘I have been in this forest, A fair sight can I see, It was one of the fairest sights That ever yet saw I me;
‘Yonder I see a right fair hart, His colour is of green, Seven score of deer upon an herd Be with him all bedene[812];
‘His tyndès[813] are so sharp, master, Of sixty and well mo, That I durst not shoot for dread Lest they would me sloo[814].’
‘I make mine avow to God,’ said the Sheriff, ‘That sight would I fain see.’ ‘Busk you thitherward, my dear master, Anon, and wend with me.’
The Sheriff rode, and Little John Of foot he was full smart, And when they came afore Robin: ‘Lo, here is the master hart!’
Still stood the proud Sheriff, A sorry man was he: ‘Woe worth thee, Reynold Greenleaf! Thou hast now betrayèd me.’
‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Little John, ‘Master, ye be to blame, I was mis-served of my dinner, When I was with you at hame.’
Soon he was to supper set, And servèd with silver white; And when the Sheriff saw his vessel, For sorrow he might not eat.
‘Make good cheer,’ said Robin Hood, ‘Sheriff, for charity! And for the love of Little John, Thy life is granted to thee.’
When they had suppèd well, The day was all agone, Robin commanded Little John To draw off his hosen and shoon,