Пригоди Робін Гуда
Robin Hood Turns Beggar
Hewasathin,wizenedman,and,tolookuponhim,youcouldnottellwhetherhewasthirtyyearsoldorsixty,sodriedupwasheeventoskinandbone.Asforthenag,itwasasthinastherider,andbothlookedasthoughtheyhadbeenbakedinMotherHuddle’sOven,wherefolkaredriedupsothattheyliveforever.
ButalthoughRobinlaughedatthedrollsight,heknewthewayfarertobeacertainrichcornengrosserofWorksop,whomorethanoncehadboughtallthegraininthecountrysideandheldittillitreachedevenfamineprices,thusmakingmuchmoneyfromtheneedsofpoorpeople,andforthishewashatedfarandnearbyeveryonethatknewaughtofhim.
So,afterawhile,theCornEngrossercameridinguptowhereRobinsat;whereuponmerryRobinsteppedstraightwayforth,inallhisragsandtatters,hisbagsandpouchesdanglingabouthim,andlaidhishanduponthehorse’sbridlerein,callingupontheothertostop.
"Whoartthou,fellow,thatdothdaretostopmethusupontheKing’shighway?"saidtheleanman,inadry,sourvoice.
"Pityapoorbeggar,"quothRobin."Givemebutafarthingtobuymeapieceofbread."
"Now,outuponthee!"snarledtheother."Suchsturdyroguesasthouartarebettersafeintheprisonsordancinguponnothing,withahempencollarabouttheneck,thanstrollingthehighwayssofreely."
"Tut,"quothRobin,"howthoutalkest!ThouandIarebrothers,man.
