Приключения Робин Гуда
How Sir Richard of the Lea Paid His Debts
"AsthouhopestforHeaven’smercy,showmercytome.Stripmenotofmylandsandsoreduceatrueknighttopoverty."
"Thydayisbrokenandthylandsforfeit,"saidthemanoflaw,pluckinguphisspiritsattheKnight’shumblespeech.
QuothSirRichard,"Thoumanoflaw,wiltthounotbefriendmeinminehourofneed?"
"Nay,"saidtheother,"IholdwiththisholyPrior,whohathpaidmemyfeesinhardgold,sothatIamboundertohim."
"Wiltthounotbemyfriend,SirSheriff?"saidSirRichard.
"Nay,‘foreHeaven,"quoththeSheriffofNottingham,"thisisnobusinessofmine,yetIwilldowhatImay,"andhenudgedthePriorbeneaththeclothwithhisknee."Wiltthounoteasehimofsomeofhisdebts,SirPrior?"
AtthisthePriorsmiledgrimly."Paymethreehundredpounds,SirRichard,"saidhe,"andIwillgivetheequittanceofthydebt."
"Thouknowest,SirPrior,thatitisaseasyformetopayfourhundredpoundsasthreehundred,"saidSirRichard."Butwiltthounotgivemeanothertwelvemonthtopaymydebt?"
"Notanotherday,"saidthePriorsternly.
"Andisthisallthouwiltdoforme?"askedtheKnight.
"Now,outuponthee,falseknight!"criedthePrior,burstingforthinanger."EitherpaythydebtasIhavesaid,orreleasethylandandgettheegonefromoutmyhall."
ThenSirRichardarosetohisfeet.
