Приключения Робин Гуда

           ButlongbeforetheTinkercametothelastversehistonguebegantotripandhisheadtospin,becauseofthestrongwatersmixedwiththeale.Firsthistonguetripped,thenitgrewthickofsound;thenhisheadwaggedfromsidetoside,untilatlasthefellasleepasthoughheneverwouldwakenagain.

           ThenRobinHoodlaughedaloudandquicklytookthewarrantfromouttheTinker’spouchwithhisdeftfingers."Slyartthou,Tinker,"quothhe,"butnotyet,Ibow,artthouasslyasthatsameslythiefRobinHood."

           Thenhecalledthehosttohimandsaid,"Here,goodman,aretenbroadshillingsfortheentertainmentthouhastgivenusthisday.Seethatthoutakestgoodcareofthyfairguestthere,andwhenhewakesthoumaystagainchargehimtenshillingsalso,andifhehathitnot,thoumaysttakehisbagandhammer,andevenhiscoat,inpayment.ThusdoIpunishthosethatcomeintothegreenwoodtodealdoletome.Asforthineownself,neverknewIlandlordyetthatwouldnotchargetwiceanhecould."

           Atthisthehostsmiledslyly,asthoughsayingtohimselftherusticsaw,"Teachamagpietosuckeggs."

           TheTinkersleptuntiltheafternoondrewtoacloseandtheshadowsgrewlongbesidethewoodlandedge,thenheawoke.Firsthelookedup,thenhelookeddown,thenhelookedeast,thenhelookedwest,forhewasgatheringhiswitstogether,likebarleystrawsblownapartbythewind.Firsthethoughtofhismerrycompanion,buthewasgone.Thenhethoughtofhisstoutcrabstaff,andthathehadwithinhishand.Thenofhiswarrant,andofthefourscoreangelshewastogainforservingituponRobinHood.Hethrusthishandintohispouch,butnotascrapnorafarthingwasthere.Thenhesprangtohisfeetinarage.