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Little John Goes to Nottingham Fair
WhenLittleJohnreachedthestandhefoundnonefighting,butonlyboldEricwalkingupanddowntheplatform,swinginghisstaffandshoutinglustily,"Now,whowillcomeandstrikeastrokeforthelasshelovesthebest,withagoodLincolnshireyeoman?Hownow,lads?Stepup!Stepup!Orelsethelasses’eyesarenotbrighthereabouts,orthebloodofNottinghamyouthissluggishandcold.LincolnagainstNottingham,sayI!FornoonehathputfootupontheboardsthisdaysuchasweofLincolncallacudgelplayer."
Atthis,onewouldnudgeanotherwithhiselbow,saying,"Gothou,Ned!"or"Gothou,Thomas!"butnoladcaredtogainacrackedcrownfornothing.
PresentlyEricsawwhereLittleJohnstoodamongtheothers,aheadandshouldersabovethemall,andhecalledtohimloudly,"Halloa,thoulong-leggedfellowinscarlet!Broadarethyshouldersandthickthyhead;isnotthylassfairenoughfortheetotakecudgelinhandforhersake?Intruth,IbelievethatNottinghammendoturntoboneandsinew,forneitherheartnorcouragehavethey!Now,thougreatlout,wiltthounottwirlstaffforNottingham?"
"Ay,"quothLittleJohn,"hadIbutmineowngoodstaffhere,itwouldpleasuremehugelytocrackthyknave’spate,thousaucybraggart!Iwotitwouldbewellfortheeanthycock’scombwerecut!"Thushespoke,slowlyatfirst,forhewasslowtomove;buthiswrathgatheredheadwaylikeagreatstonerollingdownahill,sothatattheendhewasfullofanger.
