Приключения Робин Гуда
How Little John Lived at the Sheriff’s
Butthedaydrawethon,andIhavemycookingtodoereourmastercomethhome;soletuse’engoandsettlethisbravefightwehaveinhand."
"Ay,marry,"quothLittleJohn,"andthatrightspeedily.NeverhaveIbeenmorelaggardinfightingthanineatinganddrinking.Socomethoustraightforthintothepassageway,wherethereisgoodroomtoswingasword,andIwilltrytoservethee."
ThentheybothsteppedforthintothebroadpassagethatledtotheSteward’spantry,whereeachmandrewhisswordagainandwithoutmoreadofellupontheotherasthoughhewouldhewhisfellowlimbfromlimb.Thentheirswordsclashedupononeanotherwithgreatdin,andsparksflewfromeachblowinshowers.Sotheyfoughtupanddownthehallforanhourandmore,neitherstrikingtheotherablow,thoughtheystrovetheirbesttodoso;forbothwereskillfulatthefence;sonothingcameofalltheirlabor.Everandanontheyrested,panting;then,aftergettingtheirwind,atittheywouldgoagainmorefiercelythanever.AtlastLittleJohncriedaloud,"Hold,goodCook!"whereuponeachresteduponhissword,panting.
"NowwillImakemyvow,"quothLittleJohn,"thouarttheverybestswordsmanthatevermineeyesbeheld.Truly,Ihadthoughttocarvetheeerenow."
"AndIhadthoughttodothesamebythee,"quoththeCook,"butIhavemissedthemarksomehow."
"NowIhavebeenthinkingwithinmyself,"quothLittleJohn,"whatwearefightingfor;butalbeitIdonotrightlyknow."
