Приключения Робин Гуда
How Sir Richard of the Lea Paid His Debts
ThusrodeforthgoodSirRichardoftheLeatopayhisdebttoRobinHoodthisbrightandmerrymorn.Alongthehighwaytheywendedtheirway,withmeasuredtrampoffeetandrattleandjingleofswordandharness.OnwardtheymarchedtilltheycamenightoDenby,where,fromthetopofahill,theysaw,overbeyondthetown,manygayflagsandstreamersfloatinginthebrightair.ThenSirRichardturnedtotheman-at-armsnearesttohim."WhatistowardyonderatDenbytoday?"quothhe.
"PleaseYourWorship,"answeredtheman-at-arms,"amerryfairisheldtheretoday,andagreatwrestlingmatch,towhichmanyfolkhavecome,foraprizehathbeenofferedofapipeofredwine,afairgoldenring,andapairofgloves,allofwhichgotothebestwrestler."
"Now,bymyfaith,"quothSirRichard,wholovedgoodmanlysportsrightwell,"thiswillbeagoodlythingtosee.Methinkswehavetostayalittlewhileonourjourney,andseethismerrysport."Soheturnedhishorse’sheadasidetowardDenbyandthefair,andthitherheandhismenmadetheirway.
Theretheyfoundagreathubbubofmerriment.Flagsandstreamerswerefloating,tumblersweretumblingonthegreen,bagpipeswereplaying,andladsandlassesweredancingtothemusic.Butthecrowdweregatheredmostofallaroundaringwherethewrestlingwasgoingforward,andthitherSirRichardandhismenturnedtheirsteps.
