Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood Shoots Before Queen Eleanor
Alllistenedinsilence,foryoungAllan’ssingingwasoneofthegreatestjoysinalltheworldtothem;butastheysolistenedtherecameofasuddenthesoundofahorse’sfeet,andpresentlyLittleJohnandWillStutelycameforthfromtheforestpathintotheopenglade,youngRichardPartingtonridingbetweenthemuponhismilk-whitehorse.ThethreecametowardwhereRobinHoodsat,allthebandstaringwithmightandmain,forneverhadtheyseensogayasightasthisyoungPage,noronesorichlycladinsilksandvelvetsandgoldandjewels.ThenRobinaroseandsteppedforthtomeethim,andPartingtonleapedfromhishorseanddoffinghiscapofcrimsonvelvet,metRobinashecame."Now,welcome!"criedRobin."Now,welcome,fairyouth,andtellme,Iprythee,whatbringethoneofsofairapresenceandcladinsuchnoblegarbtoourpoorforestofSherwood?"
ThenyoungPartingtonsaid,"IfIerrnot,thouartthefamousRobinHood,andthesethystoutbandofoutlawedyeomen.TotheeIbringgreetingsfromournobleQueenEleanor.Ofthathsheheardtheespokenofandthymerrydoingshereabouts,andfainwouldshebeholdthyface;thereforeshebidsmetelltheethatifthouwiltpresentlycometoLondonTown,shewilldoallinherpowertoguardtheeagainstharm,andwillsendtheebacksafetoSherwoodForestagain.Fourdayshence,inFinsburyFields,ourgoodKingHenry,ofgreatrenown,holdethagrandshootingmatch,andallthemostfamousarchersofmerryEnglandwillbethereat.
