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Robin Hood Aids a Sorrowful Knight
"MyLordBishop,"saidRobinHood,"Iwillnotstripthee,asLittleJohnsaid,likeawinterhedge,forthoushalttakebackonethirdofthymoney.Onethirdofitthoucanstwellsparetousforthyentertainmentandthatofthytrain,forthouartveryrich;onethirdofitthoucanstbetterspareforcharity,for,Bishop,Ihearthatthouartahardmastertothosebeneaththeeandaclosehoarderofgainsthatthoucouldstbetterandwithmorecredittothyselfgivetocharitythanspenduponthyownlikings."
AtthistheBishoplookedup,buthecouldsayneveraword;yethewasthankfultokeepsomeofhiswealth.
ThenRobinturnedtoSirRichardoftheLea,andquothhe,"Now,SirRichard,thechurchseemedliketodespoilthee,thereforesomeoftheoverplusofchurchgainsmaywellbeusedinaidingthee.ThoushalttakethatfivehundredpoundslaidasideforpeoplemoreinneedthantheBishopis,andshaltpaythydebtstoEmmettherewith."
SirRichardlookedatRobinuntilsomethingaroseinhiseyesthatmadeallthelightsandthefacesblurtogether.Atlasthesaid,"Ithankthee,friend,frommyheart,forwhatthoudoestforme;yet,thinknotillifIcannottakethygiftfreely.ButthisIwilldo:Iwilltakethemoneyandpaymydebts,andinayearandadayhencewillreturnitsafeeithertotheeortotheLordBishopofHereford.ForthisIpledgemymostsolemnknightlyword.
