King Richard Comes to Sherwood Forest

           NOTMOREthantwomonthshadpassedandgonesincethesestirringadventuresbefellRobinHoodandLittleJohn,whenallNottinghamshirewasamightystirandtumult,forKingRichardoftheLion’sHeartwasmakingaroyalprogressthroughmerryEngland,andeveryoneexpectedhimtocometoNottinghamTowninhisjourneying.MessengerswentridingbackandforthbetweentheSheriffandtheKing,untilatlastthetimewasfixeduponwhenHisMajestywastostopinNottingham,astheguestofhisworship.

           Andnowcamemorebustlethanever;agreatrunninghitherandthither,arappingofhammersandababbleofvoicessoundedeverywherethroughtheplace,forthefolkwerebuildinggreatarchesacrossthestreets,beneathwhichtheKingwastopass,andweredrapingthesearcheswithsilkenbannersandstreamersofmanycolors.GreathubbubwasgoingonintheGuildHallofthetown,also,forhereagrandbanquetwastobegiventotheKingandthenoblesofhistrain,andthebestmastercarpenterswerebusybuildingathronewheretheKingandtheSheriffweretositattheheadofthetable,sidebyside.

           ItseemedtomanyofthegoodfolkoftheplaceasifthedaythatshouldbringtheKingintothetownwouldnevercome;butallthesameitdidcomeinitsownseason,andbrightshonethesundownintothestonystreets,whichwereallalivewitharestlessseaofpeople.