Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood and Allan a Dale
Manypassedalongthedustyroadintheglareofthesun:nowitwasabevyofchatteringdamselsmerrilytrippingalong;nowitwasaploddingtinker;nowamerryshepherdlad;nowasturdyfarmer;allgazingaheadalongtheroad,unconsciousofthesevenstoutfellowsthatlayhiddensonearthem.Suchwerethetravelersalongtheway;butfatabbot,richesquire,ormoney-ladenusurercametherenone.
Atlastthesunbegantosinklowintheheavens;thelightgrewredandtheshadowslong.Theairgrewfullofsilence,thebirdstwitteredsleepily,andfromafarcame,faintandclear,themusicalsongofthemilkmaidcallingthekinehometothemilking.
ThenStutelyarosefromwherehewaslying."Aplagueofsuchillluck!"quothhe."Herehaveweabidedallday,andnobirdworththeshooting,sotospeak,hathcomewithinreachofourbolt.HadIgoneforthonaninnocenterrand,Ihadmetadozenstoutpriestsorascoreofpursymoney-lenders.Butitiseverthus:thedundeerareneversoscarceaswhenonehasagraygoosefeathernippedbetwixtthefingers.Come,lads,letuspackupandhomeagain,sayI."
Accordingly,theothersarose,and,comingforthfromoutthethicket,theyallturnedtheirtoesbackagaintoSherwood.Aftertheyhadgonesomedistance,WillStutely,whoheadedtheparty,suddenlystopped."Hist!"quothhe,forhisearswereassharpasthoseofafive-year-oldfox."Hark,lads!MethinksIhearasound.
