Francis James Child

“ There slaine with an arrowe.
And it is sayd, when men be mett,
Six can doe more then three:
And they haue tane Litle Iohn,
And bound him fast to a tree.
'Thou shalt be drawen by dale and downe,' quoth the sheriffe,
'And hanged hye on a hill:'
'But thou may fayle,' quoth Litle Iohn,
'If itt be Christs owne will.'
Let vs leaue talking of Litle Iohn,
For hee is bound fast to a tree,
And talke of Guy and Robin Hood,
In the green woode where they bee. ”

“ Topp, and tayle, and mayne.
'Stand you still, master,' quoth Litle Iohn,
'Vnder this trusty tree,
And I will goe to yond wight yeoman,
To know his meaning trulye.'
'A Iohn, by me thou setts noe store,
And that's a farley thinge;
How offt send I my men beffore,
And tarry my-selfe behinde?
'It is noe cunning a knaue to ken,
And a man but heare him speake ”