But pay ere ye wend," said Rob-in,
"Me thinketh it is good right;
It was never the manner, by dere-worthy God,
A yeoman to pay for a knight."
"I have nought in my coffers," said the knight,
"That I may proffer for shame."
"Little John, go look," said Robin,
"Ne let not for no blame.
Tell me truth," then said Rob-in,
"So God have part of thee."
"I have no more but ten shillings," said the knight,
"So God have part of me!"
"If thou have no more," said Rob-in,
"I will not one penn-y;
And if thou have need of any more,
More shall I lend thee.
Go now forth, Little John,
The truth tell thou me,
If there be no more but ten shillings
No penny of that I see."
Little John spread down his mantle
Full fair upon the ground,
And there he found in the knight's coff-er
But even half a pound.
Little John let it lie full still,
And went to his master full low.
"What tiding-e, John?" said Rob-in.
"Sir, the knight is true enow."
"Fill of the best wine," said Rob-in,
"The knight shall begin;
Much wonder thinketh me
Thy clothing is so thin.
Tell me one word," said Rob-in,
"And counsel shall it be;
I trow thou were made a knight of force,
Or else of yeomanry;
Or else thou hast been a sorry housband
And lived in stroke and strife;
An okerer, or lechour," said Rob-in,
"With wrong hast thou led thy life.
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