Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood Compasses a Marriage
"Hilloa,goodfellow,"quothheinajovialvoice,"whoartthouthatstruttestinsuchgayfeathers?"
"AharperamIfromthenorthcountry,"quothRobin,"andIcantouchthestrings,Iwot,asneveranothermaninallmerryEnglandcando.Truly,goodLordBishop,manyaknightandburgher,clerkandlayman,havedancedtomymusic,willy-nilly,andmosttimesgreatlyagainsttheirwill;suchisthemagicofmyharping.Nowthisday,myLordBishop,ifImayplayatthiswedding,IdopromisethatIwillcausethefairbridetolovethemanshemarrieswithalovethatshalllastaslongasthattwainshalllivetogether."
"Ha!isitso?"criedtheBishop."Meanestthouthisinsooth?"AndhelookedkeenlyatRobin,whogazedboldlybackagainintohiseyes."Now,ifthouwiltcausethismaiden(whohathverilybewitchedmypoorcousinStephen)thustolovethemansheistomarry,asthousaystthoucanst,Iwillgivetheewhatsoeverthouwiltaskmeinduemeasure.Letmehaveatasteofthyskill,fellow."
"Nay,"quothRobin,"mymusiccomethnotwithoutIchoose,evenatalordbishop’sbidding.Insooth,Iwillnotplayuntilthebrideandbridegroomcome."
"Now,thouartasaucyvarlettospeaksotomycrest,"quoththeBishop,frowningonRobin."Yet,Imustneedsbearwiththee.Look,Prior,hithercomethourcousinSirStephen,andhisladylove."
Andnow,aroundthebendofthehighroad,cameothers,ridinguponhorses.
