But I have great marvel,"said Rob-in,"Of all this long-e day,I dread Our Lady be wroth with me,She sent me not my pay."
"Have no doubt,master,"said Little John,"Ye have no need I say,This monk it hath brought,I dare well swear,For he is of her abbay."
"And she was a borow,"said Robin,"Between a knight and me,Of a little money that I him lent,Under the green wood tree;
And if thou hast that silver i-brought,I pray thee let me see,And I shall help thee eftsoons,If thou have need of me."
The monk swore a full great oath,With a sorry cheer,"Of the borowhood thou speakest to me,Heard I never ere!"
"I make mine avow to God,"said Robin,"Monk,thou art to blame,For God is hold a righteous man,And so is his dame.
Thou toldest with thine own tongue,Thou may not say nay,How that thou art her serv-ant And servest her every day,And thou art made her messenger,My money for to pay,Therefore I con thee more thank,Thou art come at thy day.
What is in your coffers?"said Robin,"True then tell thou me."
"Sir,"he said,"twenty mark,All so mote I thee."
"If there be no more,"said Robin,"I will not one penny;
If thou hast mister of any more,Sir,more I shall lend to thee;
And if I find more,"said Robin,"I-wis thou shalt it forgone;
For of thy spending silver,monk,Thereof will I right none.
Go now forth,Little John,And the truth tell thou me;
If there be no more but twenty mark,No penny of that I see."
Little John spread his mantle down,As he had done before,And he told out of the monk-es mail,Eight hundred pound and more.
Little John let it lie full still,And went to his master in haste;
"Sir,"he said,"the monk is true enow,Our lady hath doubled your cost."
"I make mine avow to God,"said Robin,"Monk,what told I thee?
Our Lady is the truest woman,That ever yet found I me.
By dere-worthy God,"said Robin,"To seek all England thorowe,Yet found I never to my pay A much better borowe.
Fill of the best wine,do him drink,"said Robin;