Here he met three pretty lasses, each bearing a basket of eggs to market.

Quoth he, "Whither away, fair maids ?" And he stood in their path, holding his staff in front of them, to stop them.
Then they huddled together and nudged one another, and one presently spake up and said, "We are going to the Tuxford market, holy friar, to sell our eggs." "Now out upon it!" quoth Little John, looking upon them with his head on one side.

"Surely, it is a pity that such fair lasses should be forced to carry eggs to market.

Let me tell you, an I had the shaping of things in this world, ye should all three have been clothed in the finest silks, and ride upon milk-white horses, with pages at your side, and feed upon nothing but whipped cream and strawberries; for such a life would surely befit your looks." At this speech all three of the pretty maids looked down, blushing and simpering.

One said, "La!" another, "Marry, a' maketh sport of us!" and the third, "Listen, now, to the holy man!" But at the same time they looked at Little John from out the corners of their eyes.
"Now, look you," said Little John, "I cannot see such dainty damsels as ye are carrying baskets along a highroad.