Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood Aids a Sorrowful Knight
"Anobleestatetobeforfeitforfourhundredpounds!Butwhatwillbefalltheeifthoudostlosethylands,SirRichard?"
"Itisnotmineownlotthatdothtroublemeinthatcase,"saidtheKnight,"butmydearlady’s;forshouldIlosemylandshewillhavetobetakeherselftosomekinsmanandthereabideincharity,which,methinks,wouldbreakherproudheart.Asforme,Iwilloverthesaltsea,andsotoPalestinetojoinmysoninfightfortheholysepulcher."
ThenupspakeWillScarlet."Buthastthounofriendthatwillhelptheeinthydireneed?"
"Neveraman,"saidSirRichard."WhileIwasrichenowathome,andhadfriends,theyblewgreatboastsofhowtheylovedme.Butwhentheoakfallsintheforesttheswinerunfrombeneathitlesttheyshouldbesmittendownalso.Somyfriendshaveleftme;fornotonlyamIpoorbutIhavegreatenemies."
ThenRobinsaid,"Thousaystthouhastnofriends,SirRichard.Imakenoboast,butmanyhavefoundRobinHoodafriendintheirtroubles.Cheerup,SirKnight,Imayhelptheeyet."
TheKnightshookhisheadwithafaintsmile,butforallthat,Robin’swordsmadehimmoreblitheofheart,forintruthhope,beitneversofaint,bringethagleamintodarkness,likealittlerushlightthatcostethbutagroat.
Thedaywaswell-nighgonewhentheycameneartothegreenwoodtree.
