Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood and the Tinker
"Nowwhatnewsbearestthousofast?"quothone,"andwhitherridestthoutoday?"
Themessengerwasachattysoulandlovedabitofgossipdearly;besides,thepotofalewarmedhisheart;sothat,settlinghimselfinaneasycorneroftheinnbench,whilethehostleaneduponthedoorwayandthehostessstoodwithherhandsbeneathherapron,heunfoldedhisbudgetofnewswithgreatcomfort.Hetoldallfromtheveryfirst:howRobinHoodhadslaintheforester,andhowhehadhiddeninthegreenwoodtoescapethelaw;howthathelivedtherein,allagainstthelaw,Godwot,slayingHisMajesty’sdeerandlevyingtollonfatabbot,knight,andesquire,sothatnonedaretravelevenonbroadWatlingStreetortheFosseWayforfearofhim;howthattheSheriffhadamindtoservetheKing’swarrantuponthissamerogue,thoughlittlewouldhemindwarrantofeitherkingorsheriff,forhewasfarfrombeingalaw-abidingman.ThenhetoldhownonecouldbefoundinallNottinghamTowntoservethiswarrant,forfearofcrackedpatesandbrokenbones,andhowthathe,themessenger,wasnowuponhiswaytoLincolnTowntofindofwhatmettletheLincolnmenmightbe.
"NowcomeI,forsooth,fromgoodBanburyTown,"saidthejollyTinker,"andnoonenighNottingham—norSherwoodeither,anthatbethemark—canholdcudgelwithmygrip.Why,lads,didInotmeetthatmadwagSimonofEly,evenatthefamousfairatHertfordTown,andbeathimintheringatthatplacebeforeSirRobertofLeslieandhislady?ThissameRobinHood,ofwhom,Iwot,Ineverheardbefore,isarightmerryblade,butginhebestrong,amnotIstronger?Andginhebesly,amnotIslyer?
