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Robin Hood Compasses a Marriage
ThePriorofEmmetandthosethatbelongedtohimgatheredtogetherlikeaflockoffrightenedsheepwhenthescentofthewolfisnigh,whiletheBishopofHereford,layingasidehisbook,crossedhimselfdevoutly."NowHeavenkeepusthisday,"saidhe,"fromthatevilman!"
"Nay,"quothRobin,"Imeanyounoharm;buthereisfairEllen’sbetrothedhusband,andsheshallmarryhimorpainwillbebredtosomeofyou."
ThenupspakestoutEdwardinaloudandangryvoice,"NowIsaynay!Iamherfather,andsheshallmarrySirStephenandnoneother."
Nowallthistime,whileeverythingwasinturmoilabouthim,SirStephenhadbeenstandinginproudandscornfulsilence."Nay,fellow,"saidhecoldly,"thoumaysttakethydaughterbackagain;Iwouldnotmarryherafterthisday’sdoingscouldIgainallmerryEnglandthereby.Itelltheeplainly,Ilovedthydaughter,oldasIam,andwouldhavetakenheruplikeajewelfromthesty,yet,truly,Iknewnotthatshedidlovethisfellow,andwasbelovedbyhim.Maiden,ifthoudostratherchooseabeggarlyminstrelthanahigh-bornknight,takethychoice.IdofeelitshamethatIshouldthusstandtalkingamidthisherd,andsoIwillleaveyou."Thussaying,heturnedand,gatheringhismenabouthim,walkedproudlydowntheaisle.Thenalltheyeomenweresilencedbythescornofhiswords.OnlyFriarTuckleanedovertheedgeofthechoirloftandcalledouttohimerehehadgone,"Goodden,SirKnight.
