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King Richard Comes to Sherwood Forest
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KingRichardlookedfromonetotheotherofthekneelingknights,andatlastthefrownfadedfromhisbrowandasmiletwitchedatthecornersofhislips."Marry,SirRichard,"quoththeKing,"thouartabold-spokenknight,andthyfreedomofspeechweighethnotheavilyagainsttheewithme.Thisyoungsonofthinetakethafterhissirebothinboldnessofspeechandofdeed,for,ashesayeth,hesteppedonetimebetwixtmeanddeath;whereforeIwouldpardontheeforhissakeevenifthouhadstdonemorethanthouhast.Riseallofyou,foryeshallsuffernoharmthroughmethisday,foritwerepitythatamerrytimeshouldendinamannerastomaritsjoyousness."
ThenallaroseandtheKingbeckonedRobinHoodtocometohim."Hownow,"quothhe,"isthineearstilltoodeaftohearmespeak?"
"MineearswouldbedeafenedindeatheretheywouldceasetohearYourMajesty’svoice,"saidRobin."AsfortheblowthatYourMajestystruckme,Iwouldsaythatthoughmysinsarehaplymany,methinkstheyhavebeenpaidupinfullthereby."
"Thinkestthouso?"saidtheKingwithsomewhatofsternnessinhisvoice."NowItelltheethatbutforthreethings,towit,mymercifulness,myloveforastoutwoodsman,andtheloyaltythouhastavowedforme,thineears,mayhap,mighthavebeenmoretightlyclosedthaneverabuffetfrommecouldhaveshutthem.Talknotlightlyofthysins,goodRobin.Butcome,lookup.Thydangerispast,forherebyIgivetheeandallthybandfreepardon.
