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When he was going from them, and turning homewards, he chanced to ⟨be⟩ somewhat late in the evening; on ⟨the⟩ road, he met four stout lusty rogues ⟨that⟩ had been robbing passengers that way, and none could escape them, for ⟨they⟩ robbed all they met with, both ⟨rich⟩ and poor. They thought when ⟨they⟩ met with Tom he would be a ⟨good⟩ prize for them, perceiving that he ⟨was⟩ alone, made cocksure of his ⟨money⟩, but they were mistaken for he got ⟨surprize⟩ of them. Whereupon meeting ⟨with⟩ him, they bid him stand and ⟨deliver⟩. What, shall I deliver? said Tom, ⟨your⟩ money, sirrah, said they. But, ⟨said⟩ Tom, you will give me better ⟨words⟩ for it, and you must be better ⟨armed⟩. Come, come, said they, we do ⟨not⟩ come here to prate, but we come ⟨for⟩ money, and money we will have, ⟨before⟩ you stir from this place. Aye, ⟨said⟩ Tom, is it so, nay then get it, and ⟨take⟩ it.
So one of them made at him, but he ⟨presently⟩ disarmed him, and took away ⟨his⟩ sword, which was made of good
