Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood and the Tinker
Thenhecalledupamessengerinwhomheplacedgreattrust,andbadehimsaddlehishorseandmakereadytogotoLincolnTowntoseewhetherhecouldfindanyonetherethatwoulddohisbiddingandwinthereward.Sothatsamemorningthemessengerstartedforthuponhiserrand.
BrightshonethesunuponthedustyhighwaythatledfromNottinghamtoLincoln,stretchingawayallwhiteoverhillanddale.Dustywasthehighwayanddustythethroatofthemessenger,sothathisheartwasgladwhenhesawbeforehimtheSignoftheBlueBoarInn,whensomewhatmorethanhalfhisjourneywasdone.Theinnlookedfairtohiseyes,andtheshadeoftheoaktreesthatstoodarounditseemedcoolandpleasant,sohealightedfromhishorsetoresthimselfforatime,callingforapotofaletorefreshhisthirstythroat.
Therehesawapartyofrightjovialfellowsseatedbeneaththespreadingoakthatshadedthegreenswardinfrontofthedoor.Therewasatinker,twobarefootfriars,andapartyofsixoftheKing’sforestersallcladinLincolngreen,andallofthemwerequaffinghummingaleandsingingmerryballadsofthegoodoldtimes.Loudlaughedtheforesters,asjestswerebandiedaboutbetweenthesinging,andlouderlaughedthefriars,fortheywerelustymenwithbeardsthatcurledlikethewoolofblackrams;butloudestofalllaughedtheTinker,andhesangmoresweetlythananyoftherest.Hisbagandhishammerhunguponatwigoftheoaktree,andnearbyleanedhisgoodstoutcudgel,asthickashiswristandknottedattheend.
"Come,"criedoneoftheforesterstothetiredmessenger,"comejoinusforthisshot.Ho,landlord!Bringafreshpotofaleforeachman."
Themessengerwasgladenoughtositdownalongwiththeotherswhowerethere,forhislimbswerewearyandthealewasgood.
