Приключения Робин Гуда

           Anthouwiltforceitonmeso,Imustneedsdothybidding,yetwiththemorepleasuredoIsoasIdrinkthyverygreathealth(herehetookalong,deepdraught).Andnow,sweetlad,’tisthyturnnext(herehepassedthebottlefromhislefthandbackagaintohisright).Itakeit,sweetchuck,andhere’swishingtheeasmuchgoodasthouwishestme."Sayingthis,hetookanotherdraught,andtrulyhedrankenoughfortwo.

           AllthistimemerryRobinlayuponthebankandlistened,whilehisstomachsoquakedwithlaughterthathewasforcedtopresshispalmacrosshismouthtokeepitfromburstingforth;for,truly,hewouldnothavespoiledsuchagoodlyjestforthehalfofNottinghamshire.

           Havinggottenhisbreathfromhislastdraught,theFriarbegantalkingagaininthiswise:"Now,sweetlad,canstthounotsingmeasong?La,Iknownot,Iambutinanillvoicethisday;prytheeaskmenot;dostthounothearhowIcroaklikeafrog?Nay,nay,thyvoiceisassweetasanybullfinch;come,sing,Iprythee,Iwouldratherheartheesingthaneatafairfeast.Alas,Iwouldfainnotsingbeforeonethatcanpipesowellandhathheardsomanygoodlysongsandballads,ne’ertheless,anthouwilthaveitso,Iwilldomybest.ButnowmethinksthatthouandImightsingsomefairsongtogether;dostthounotknowacertaindaintylittlecatchcalled‘TheLovingYouthandtheScornfulMaid’?Why,truly,methinksIhavehearditerenow.