Приключения Робин Гуда
How Sir Richard of the Lea Paid His Debts
Isitnotwellthatsuchmenshouldbebroughtlow?"
"Butartthousure,"saidthelittledoctortremulously,"thatthisknightwilldousnoharm?Suchashearefiercewhencrossed,andhehathabandofnaughtymenathisheels.Mayhapthouhadstbettergiveanextensionofhisdebt."Thushespake,forhewasafraidSirRichardmightdohimaharm.
"Thouneedstnotfear,"saidthePrior,lookingdownatthelittlemanbesidehim."Thisknightisgentleandwouldassoonthinkofharminganoldwomanasthee."
AsthePriorfinished,adooratthelowerendoftherefectoryswungopen,andincameSirRichard,withfoldedhandsandheadboweduponhisbreast.Thushumblyhewalkedslowlyupthehall,whilehismen-at-armsstoodaboutthedoor.WhenhehadcometowherethePriorsat,hekneltupononeknee."Saveandkeepthee,SirPrior,"saidhe,"Iamcometokeepmyday."
ThenthefirstwordthatthePriorsaidtohimwas"Hastthoubroughtmymoney?"
"Alas!Ihavenotsomuchasonepennyuponmybody,"saidtheKnight;whereatthePrior’seyessparkled.
"Now,thouartashrewddebtor,Iwot,"saidhe.Then,"SirSheriff,Idrinktothee."
ButstilltheKnightkneeleduponthehardstones,sothePriorturnedtohimagain."Whatwouldstthouhave?"quothhesharply.
Atthesewords,aslowredmountedintotheKnight’scheeks;butstillheknelt."Iwouldcravethymercy,"saidhe.
