Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood and Allan a Dale
Myownsweetdear,I—"Hestoppedandshookhishead,forhecouldsaynothingfurther.
Whiletheotherswerespeaking,RobinHoodhadbeensunkinthought."MethinksIhaveaplanmightfitthycase,Allan,"saidhe."Buttellmefirst,thinkestthou,lad,thatthytruelovehathspiritenoughtomarrytheewereyetogetherinchurch,thebannspublished,andthepriestfound,evenwereherfathertosayhernay?"
"Ay,marrywouldshe,"criedAllaneagerly.
"Then,ifherfatherbethemanthatItakehimtobe,Iwillundertakethatheshallgiveyoubothhisblessingasweddedmanandwife,intheplaceofoldSirStephen,anduponhisweddingmorn.Butstay,nowIbethinkme,thereisonethingreckonednotupon—thepriest.Truly,thoseoftheclothdonotlovemeovermuch,andwhenitcomestodoingasIdesireinsuchamatter,theyareaslikeasnottoprovestiff-necked.Astothelesserclergy,theyfeartodomeafavorbecauseofabbotorbishop.
"Nay,"quothWillScarlet,laughing,"sofarasthatgoeth,Iknowofacertainfriarthat,couldstthoubutgetonthesoftsideofhim,woulddothybusinesseventhoughPopeJoanherselfstoodforthtobanhim.HeisknownastheCurtalFriarofFountainAbbey,anddwellethinFountainDale."
"But,"quothRobin,"FountainAbbeyisagoodhundredmilesfromhere.Anwewouldhelpthislad,wehavenotimetogothitherandbackbeforehistruelovewillbemarried.Noughtistobegainedthere,coz.
