"Sher-iff, for charit-e,
For this is our ord-er i-wis,
Under the green wood tree."

"This is harder order," said the sheriff,
"Than any anker or frere;
For all the gold in merry Engl-and
I would not long dwell here."

"All these twelve months," said Rob-in,
"Thou shalt dwell with me;
I shall thee teach, thou proud sher-iff,
An outlaw for to be."

"Ere I here another night lie," said the sheriff,
"Robin, now I pray thee,
Smite off my head rather to-morn,
And I forgive it thee.
Let me go," then said the sher-iff,
"For saint Charit-e,
And I will be thy best friend
That ever yet had thee."

"Thou shalt swear me an oath," said Robin,
"On my bright brand,
Thou shalt never awayte me scathe,
By water ne by land;
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."

Now hath the sheriff i-swore his oath,
And home he gan to gone,
He was as full of green wood
As ever was heap of stone.

THE FOURTH FYTTE.

The sheriff dwelled in Nottingham,
He was fain that he was gone,
And Robin and his merry men
Went to wood anone.

"Go we to dinner," said Little John.
Robin Hood said, "Nay;
For I dread Our Lady be wroth with me,
For she sent me not my pay."

"Have no doubt, master," said Little John,
"Yet is not the sun at rest,
For I dare say, and safely sware,
The knight is true and trust."

"Take thy bow in thy hand," said Robin,
"Let Much wende with thee,
And so shall William Scathelock,
And no man abide with me,
And walk up into the Sa-yl-es,
And to Watling Street,
And wait after such unketh gest,
Up-chance ye may them meet.
Whether he be messeng-er,
Or a man that mirth-es can,
Or if he be a poor man,
Of my good he shall have some."

Forth then stert Little John,
Half in tray and teen,
And girded him with a full good sword,
Under a mantle of green.
They went up to the Sa-yl-es,
These yeomen all three;
They look-ed east, they look-ed west,
They might no man see.
But as he looked in Barnisdale,
By the high way,
Then were they ware of two black monks,