Пригоди Робін Гуда
Robin Hood and the Tinker
ButlongbeforetheTinkercametothelastversehistonguebegantotripandhisheadtospin,becauseofthestrongwatersmixedwiththeale.Firsthistonguetripped,thenitgrewthickofsound;thenhisheadwaggedfromsidetoside,untilatlasthefellasleepasthoughheneverwouldwakenagain.
ThenRobinHoodlaughedaloudandquicklytookthewarrantfromouttheTinker’spouchwithhisdeftfingers."Slyartthou,Tinker,"quothhe,"butnotyet,Ibow,artthouasslyasthatsameslythiefRobinHood."
Thenhecalledthehosttohimandsaid,"Here,goodman,aretenbroadshillingsfortheentertainmentthouhastgivenusthisday.Seethatthoutakestgoodcareofthyfairguestthere,andwhenhewakesthoumaystagainchargehimtenshillingsalso,andifhehathitnot,thoumaysttakehisbagandhammer,andevenhiscoat,inpayment.ThusdoIpunishthosethatcomeintothegreenwoodtodealdoletome.Asforthineownself,neverknewIlandlordyetthatwouldnotchargetwiceanhecould."
Atthisthehostsmiledslyly,asthoughsayingtohimselftherusticsaw,"Teachamagpietosuckeggs."
TheTinkersleptuntiltheafternoondrewtoacloseandtheshadowsgrewlongbesidethewoodlandedge,thenheawoke.Firsthelookedup,thenhelookeddown,thenhelookedeast,thenhelookedwest,forhewasgatheringhiswitstogether,likebarleystrawsblownapartbythewind.Firsthethoughtofhismerrycompanion,buthewasgone.Thenhethoughtofhisstoutcrabstaff,andthathehadwithinhishand.Thenofhiswarrant,andofthefourscoreangelshewastogainforservingituponRobinHood.Hethrusthishandintohispouch,butnotascrapnorafarthingwasthere.Thenhesprangtohisfeetinarage.
