Пригоди Робін Гуда
The Chase of Robin Hood
ThinkestthouthatthelawsoftheKingofEnglandaretobesoevadedbyonepoorknavewithoutfriendsormoney?"
ThentheBishopspokeagain,inhissoft,smoothvoice:
"Forgivemyboldness,YourMajesty,andbelievethatIhavenoughtbutthegoodofEnglandandYourMajesty’sdesiringsatheart;butwhatwoulditbootthoughmygraciouslorddidrootupeverytreeofSherwood?AretherenototherplacesforRobinHood’shiding?CannockChaseisnotfarfromSherwood,andthegreatForestofArdenisnotfarfromCannockChase.BesidethesearemanyotherwoodlandsinNottinghamandDerby,LincolnandYork,amidanyofwhichYourMajestymightaswellthinktoseizeuponRobinHoodastolayfingeruponaratamongthedustandbrokenthingsofagarret.Nay,mygraciouslord,ifhedothonceplantfootinthewoodland,heislosttothelawforever."
AtthesewordstheKingtappedhisfingertipsuponthetablebesidehimwithvexation."Whatwouldstthouhavemedo,Bishop?"quothhe."DidstthounothearmepledgemywordtotheQueen?Thytalkisasbarrenasthewindfromthebellowsupondeadcoals.
