Latest / Merry Adventures of Robin Hood / 14 - Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle

Transcript

14 - Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle · Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Aids a sorrowful night. So passed the gentle springtime away
• 0:06
  Speaker 1: in budding beauty, its silver showers and sunshine, its green
• 0:11
  Speaker 1: meadows and its flowers. So likewise passed the summer, with
• 0:16
  Speaker 1: its yellow sunlight, its quivering heat and deep bosky foliage,
• 0:21
  Speaker 1: its long twilight, and its mellow nights, through which the
• 0:25
  Speaker 1: frogs croaked, and the fairy folks were said to be
• 0:27
  Speaker 1: out on the hillsides. All this had passed, and the
• 0:31
  Speaker 1: time of fall had come, bringing with it its own
• 0:34
  Speaker 1: pleasures and joyousness. For now, when the house was gathered home,
• 0:40
  Speaker 1: merry bands of gleaners roamed the country about, singing along
• 0:44
  Speaker 1: the roads in the daytime, and sleeping beneath the hedgerows
• 0:47
  Speaker 1: and the hayricks at night. Now the hips burned red
• 0:51
  Speaker 1: in the tangled thickets, and the hues waxed black in
• 0:54
  Speaker 1: the hedgerows. The stubble lay all crisp and naked to
• 0:58
  Speaker 1: the sky, and the green leaves were fast turning russet
• 1:01
  Speaker 1: and brown. Also at this merry season, good things of
• 1:05
  Speaker 1: the year are gathered in great store, brown ale lies
• 1:10
  Speaker 1: ripening in the cellars, hands and bacon hang in the
• 1:13
  Speaker 1: smoke shed, and crabs are stowed away in the straw
• 1:16
  Speaker 1: for roasting in the winter time, when the north wind
• 1:19
  Speaker 1: piles the snow and drifts around the gables, and the
• 1:22
  Speaker 1: fire crackles warm upon the hearth. So pass the seasons, then,
• 1:28
  Speaker 1: so they pass now, and so they will pass in
• 1:31
  Speaker 1: time to come, while we come and go like leaves
• 1:34
  Speaker 1: of the tree that fall and are soon forgotten, quoth
• 1:38
  Speaker 1: robin Hood, snuffling the air. Here is a fair day,
• 1:42
  Speaker 1: little John, and one that we can ill waste an idleness.
• 1:46
  Speaker 1: Choose such men as thou dost need, and go thou east,
• 1:50
  Speaker 1: while I will wend to the west, and see that
• 1:52
  Speaker 1: each of us bringeth back some goodly guests to dine
• 1:55
  Speaker 1: this day beneath the greenwood tree, Mary, said little John,
• 2:00
  Speaker 1: clapping his palms together for joy. Thy bidding fitteth my
• 2:04
  Speaker 1: liking like heft to blade. I'll bring thee back a
• 2:08
  Speaker 1: guest this day, or come not back mine own self.
• 2:11
  Speaker 1: So they each chose such of the band as they wished,
• 2:14
  Speaker 1: and so went forth by different paths from the forest.
• 2:19
  Speaker 1: Now you and I cannot go two ways at the
• 2:22
  Speaker 1: same time while we join in these merry doings. So
• 2:25
  Speaker 1: we will in let little John follow his own path
• 2:28
  Speaker 1: while we tuck up our skirts and trudge after Robin Hood.
• 2:31
  Speaker 1: And here is good company too, Robin Hood, Will Scarlett,
• 2:36
  Speaker 1: Eleanor Dale, Will Scathlock, Midge, the miller's son, and others.
• 2:40
  Speaker 1: A score more of stout fellows had abided in the
• 2:43
  Speaker 1: forest with friar Tuck to make ready for the homecoming,
• 2:47
  Speaker 1: but all the rest were gone, either with Robin Hood
• 2:50
  Speaker 1: or little John. They traveled onward, Robin following his fancy,
• 2:55
  Speaker 1: and the others following Robin. Now they wended their way
• 2:58
  Speaker 1: through an open dale, with cottage and farm lying therein.
• 3:02
  Speaker 1: And now again they entered woodlands, once more, passing by
• 3:05
  Speaker 1: fair Mansfield Town, with its towers and battlements and spires
• 3:10
  Speaker 1: all smiling in the sun, they came at last out
• 3:13
  Speaker 1: of the forest lands. Onward they journeyed through highway and byway,
• 3:18
  Speaker 1: through villages, where good wives and merry lasses peeped through
• 3:21
  Speaker 1: the casements at the fine shore of young men, until
• 3:25
  Speaker 1: at last they came over beyond Alberton in Derbyshire. By
• 3:30
  Speaker 1: this time high noontide had come, yet they had met
• 3:34
  Speaker 1: no guests, such as was worth their while to dig
• 3:37
  Speaker 1: back to Sherwood, So coming at last to a certain
• 3:40
  Speaker 1: spot where the shrine stood at the crossing of two roads.
• 3:43
  Speaker 1: Robin called upon them to stop, for here on either
• 3:47
  Speaker 1: side was shelter of high hedgerows, behind which was a
• 3:50
  Speaker 1: good hiding. Whence they could watch the roads at their
• 3:53
  Speaker 1: ease while they ate their midday meal. Quoth Mary Robin,
• 3:57
  Speaker 1: hear me, things is good lodging where peace thou folks
• 4:00
  Speaker 1: such as we be, can eat in quietness. Therefore we
• 4:04
  Speaker 1: will rest here and see what may perchance fall into
• 4:08
  Speaker 1: our luck pot. So they crossed the style and came
• 4:11
  Speaker 1: behind a hedgerow, where the mellow sunlight was bright and warm,
• 4:15
  Speaker 1: and where the grass was soft, And there set them down.
• 4:20
  Speaker 1: Then each man drew from the pouch that hung beside
• 4:22
  Speaker 1: him that which he had brought to eat. For a
• 4:25
  Speaker 1: merry walk such as this had been sharpens the appetite
• 4:28
  Speaker 1: till it is as keen as a march wind. So
• 4:32
  Speaker 1: no more words were spoken, but each man saved his
• 4:35
  Speaker 1: teeth for better use, munching at brown crust and cold meat.
• 4:39
  Speaker 1: Right lustily in front of them, one of the high
• 4:42
  Speaker 1: roads crawled up the steep hill and then dipped suddenly
• 4:45
  Speaker 1: over its crest, sharp cut with hedgerows and shaggy grass
• 4:50
  Speaker 1: against the sky. Over the top of the windy hill
• 4:53
  Speaker 1: peeped the eaves of a few houses of the village
• 4:56
  Speaker 1: that fell back into the valley behind. There also showing
• 5:00
  Speaker 1: the top of a windmill, the sail slowly rising and
• 5:03
  Speaker 1: dipping from behind the hill against the clear blue sky,
• 5:07
  Speaker 1: as the light wind moved them with creaking and labored swing.
• 5:12
  Speaker 1: So the yeoman lay behind the hedge and finished their
• 5:14
  Speaker 1: midday meal. But still the time slipped along, and no
• 5:17
  Speaker 1: one came. At last a man came, slowly riding over
• 5:22
  Speaker 1: the hill and down the stony road towards the spot
• 5:25
  Speaker 1: where Robin and his band lay hidden. He was a
• 5:28
  Speaker 1: good stout knight, but sorrowful of face and downcast of men.
• 5:33
  Speaker 1: His clothes were plain and rich, but no chain of gold,
• 5:36
  Speaker 1: such as spoke of his stand in life war at
• 5:38
  Speaker 1: most times, hung around his neck, and no jewel was
• 5:42
  Speaker 1: about him. Yet no one could mistake him for aught,
• 5:45
  Speaker 1: but one of proud and noble blood. His head was
• 5:48
  Speaker 1: bowed upon his breast, and his hands drooped limp on
• 5:52
  Speaker 1: either side. And so he came slowly riding as though
• 5:55
  Speaker 1: sunk in sad thoughts, while even his good horse, the
• 5:59
  Speaker 1: raines loose upon his neck, walked with hanging head, as
• 6:03
  Speaker 1: though he shared his master's grief, quoth Robin. Hood Yon
• 6:08
  Speaker 1: is verily a sorry looking gallant, and doth seem to
• 6:11
  Speaker 1: have darned ill content with his jerk in this morning. Nevertheless,
• 6:15
  Speaker 1: I will out and talk with him, for there may
• 6:18
  Speaker 1: be some pickings here, for a hungry door. Methinks his
• 6:22
  Speaker 1: dress is rich, though he himself is so downcast. Bide
• 6:26
  Speaker 1: ye hear while I look into this matter, So saying
• 6:30
  Speaker 1: he arose and left them, crossed the road to the shrine,
• 6:33
  Speaker 1: and there stood waiting for the sorrowful Knight to come
• 6:36
  Speaker 1: near him. So presently, when the Knight came riding slowly along,
• 6:41
  Speaker 1: Jolly Robin stepped forward and laid his hand upon the
• 6:44
  Speaker 1: bridle rein Ho, Sir Knight, quoth he, I prithee terry
• 6:49
  Speaker 1: a short time, for I have a few words to
• 6:51
  Speaker 1: say to thee. What art thou friend, who doth stop
• 6:55
  Speaker 1: a traveler in this manner upon his most gracious Majesty's highway?
• 6:59
  Speaker 1: Said the Knight marry, quoth Robin. This is a question
• 7:03
  Speaker 1: hard to answer. One man calleth me kind, Another calleth
• 7:07
  Speaker 1: me cruel, This one calleth me an good, honest fellow,
• 7:11
  Speaker 1: and that one vile thief. Truly, the world hath as
• 7:15
  Speaker 1: many eyes to look upon a man withal as there
• 7:18
  Speaker 1: are spots upon a toad. So with what pair of
• 7:21
  Speaker 1: eyes thou regardeth me lieth entirely with thine own self.
• 7:26
  Speaker 1: My name is Robin Hood, truly good, Robin, said the knight,
• 7:30
  Speaker 1: a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. Thou
• 7:34
  Speaker 1: hast the quaint conceit. As for the pair of eyes
• 7:38
  Speaker 1: with which I regard THEE, I would say that they
• 7:40
  Speaker 1: are as favorable as may be. For I hear much
• 7:43
  Speaker 1: good of THEE and little ill. What is thy will
• 7:46
  Speaker 1: of me? Now I make my vows, A knight, quoth Robin.
• 7:50
  Speaker 1: Thou hast surely learned thy wisdom of good gaffer swamp Hold,
• 7:54
  Speaker 1: for he saith fair words, eye as easy spoke as foul,
• 7:59
  Speaker 1: and bring good will instead of blows. Now I will
• 8:02
  Speaker 1: show THEE the truth of this saying. For if thou
• 8:05
  Speaker 1: wilt go with me this day to sherwood for us,
• 8:07
  Speaker 1: I will give THEE as merry a feast as ever
• 8:10
  Speaker 1: thou hast in all thine life. Thou art indeed kind,
• 8:15
  Speaker 1: said the Knight. But methinks thou wilt find me but
• 8:18
  Speaker 1: an ill seeming and sorrowful guest. Thou hast best Let
• 8:21
  Speaker 1: me pass on my way in peace. Nay quoth Robin,
• 8:25
  Speaker 1: Thou might as go thine own way, but for one thing,
• 8:28
  Speaker 1: and that I will tell THEE. We keep an inn,
• 8:31
  Speaker 1: as it were, in the very depth of sherwood, but
• 8:34
  Speaker 1: so far from high roads and beaten paths that guests
• 8:37
  Speaker 1: do not often come nigh us. So I and my
• 8:40
  Speaker 1: friends set off merrily and seek them when we grow
• 8:43
  Speaker 1: dull of ourself. Dost the matter stand, s, Knight? Yet
• 8:47
  Speaker 1: I will furthermore tell THEE that we count upon our
• 8:50
  Speaker 1: guests paying a reckoning. I take thy meaning, friend, said
• 8:54
  Speaker 1: the Knight gravely. But I am not thy man, for
• 8:57
  Speaker 1: I have no money by me, is it sooth? Said Robin,
• 9:01
  Speaker 1: looking at the Knight keen thee I can scarce choose,
• 9:05
  Speaker 1: but believe THEE. Yet, Sir Knight, there are those of
• 9:08
  Speaker 1: thy order whose word is not to be trusted as
• 9:11
  Speaker 1: much as they would have others. Believe Thou wilt think
• 9:14
  Speaker 1: no ill of me if I look for myself in
• 9:16
  Speaker 1: this matter. Then, still holding the horse by the bridle rein,
• 9:21
  Speaker 1: he put his fingers to his lips and blew a
• 9:23
  Speaker 1: shrill whistle. Whereupon fourscore yeomen came leaping over the stile
• 9:27
  Speaker 1: and ran to where the Knight and Robin stood. These,
• 9:31
  Speaker 1: said Robin, looking upon them, proudly, are some of my
• 9:34
  Speaker 1: merry men. They share and share alike with me, all
• 9:38
  Speaker 1: joys and troubles, gains and losses. Sir Knight, I prithee
• 9:42
  Speaker 1: tell me what money thou hast about thee. For a
• 9:46
  Speaker 1: time the Knight said not a word, but a slow
• 9:49
  Speaker 1: red arose into his cheeks. At last he looked Robin
• 9:53
  Speaker 1: in the face and said, I know not why I
• 9:56
  Speaker 1: should be ashamed, for it should be no shame to me.
• 9:59
  Speaker 1: But friend, I tell THEE the truth when I say
• 10:01
  Speaker 1: that in my purse are ten shillings, and that is
• 10:05
  Speaker 1: every groat that Sir Richard of the Lee hath in
• 10:07
  Speaker 1: all the wide world. When Sir Richard ended, a silence fell,
• 10:12
  Speaker 1: until at last Robin said, and dost thou pledge me,
• 10:16
  Speaker 1: thy knightly word, that this is all thou hast with thee?
• 10:20
  Speaker 1: YEA answered Sir Richard, I do pledge THEE my most
• 10:23
  Speaker 1: solemn word, as a true knight, that this is all
• 10:27
  Speaker 1: the money I have in the world. Nay, here is
• 10:30
  Speaker 1: my purse. Ye may find for yourself the truth of
• 10:33
  Speaker 1: what I say. And he held his purse out to Robin.
• 10:37
  Speaker 1: Put up thy purse, Sir Richard, quoth Robin, far be
• 10:41
  Speaker 1: it for me to doubt the word of so gentle
• 10:43
  Speaker 1: a knight. The proud I strive to bring low. But
• 10:46
  Speaker 1: those that walk in sorrow I would aid if I
• 10:48
  Speaker 1: could come, Sir Richard, cheer up thy heart and go
• 10:52
  Speaker 1: with us into the greenwood, even I may perchance aid THEE,
• 10:56
  Speaker 1: For thou surely knowest how the good Ethelstein was saved
• 11:00
  Speaker 1: by the little blind mole that digged a trench over
• 11:03
  Speaker 1: which he that sought the King's life stumbled. Truly, friends,
• 11:08
  Speaker 1: said Sir Richard, methinkst thou meanest kindness in thine own way. Nevertheless,
• 11:13
  Speaker 1: my troubles are such that it is not likely that
• 11:15
  Speaker 1: thou canst cure them. But I will go with THEE
• 11:18
  Speaker 1: this day into sherwood. Hereupon he turned his horse's head,
• 11:23
  Speaker 1: and they all went their way into the woodlands, Robin
• 11:26
  Speaker 1: walking on one side of the Knight and will Scarlet
• 11:29
  Speaker 1: on the other, while the rest of the band trudged behind.
• 11:32
  Speaker 1: After they had traveled thus for a time, Robin Hood spake.
• 11:36
  Speaker 1: Sir Knight said he, I would not trouble thee with
• 11:40
  Speaker 1: idle questions. But dost thou find it in thy heart
• 11:43
  Speaker 1: to tell me thy sorrows? Truly, Robin, quoth the Knight,
• 11:48
  Speaker 1: I see no reason why I should not do so.
• 11:50
  Speaker 1: Thus it is my castle and my lands are in
• 11:53
  Speaker 1: pawn for a debt that I owe three days. Hence
• 11:56
  Speaker 1: the money must be paid, or else all mine is
• 12:00
  Speaker 1: state is lost forever, For then it falls into the
• 12:03
  Speaker 1: hands of the Priory of Emmet. And what they swallow
• 12:07
  Speaker 1: they never give forth again, quoth Robin. I understand not
• 12:11
  Speaker 1: why those of thy kind live in such a manner
• 12:14
  Speaker 1: that all their wealth passes from them like snow beneath springtide. Sun.
• 12:19
  Speaker 1: Thou wrongest me, Robin, said the Knight. For listen, I
• 12:23
  Speaker 1: have a son, but twenty winters old. Nevertheless, he has
• 12:27
  Speaker 1: won his spurs as knight. Last day, on a certain
• 12:30
  Speaker 1: evil day, the jousts were held at Chester, and thither
• 12:34
  Speaker 1: my son went, as did I and my lady wife.
• 12:37
  Speaker 1: I WoT It was a proud time for us, for
• 12:40
  Speaker 1: he unhorsed each night that he tilted against. At last
• 12:45
  Speaker 1: he ran a course with a certain great knight, Sir
• 12:47
  Speaker 1: Walter of Lancaster. Yet though my son was so youthful,
• 12:52
  Speaker 1: he kept his seat or beat. Both spears were shivered
• 12:55
  Speaker 1: to the heft. But it happened that a splinter for
• 12:58
  Speaker 1: my boy's lance ran through the visor of Sir Walter's
• 13:02
  Speaker 1: helmet and pierced through his eye into his brain, so
• 13:06
  Speaker 1: that he died ere his esquire could unlace his helm.
• 13:10
  Speaker 1: Now Robin, Sir Walter had great friends at court. Therefore
• 13:14
  Speaker 1: his kinsmen stirred up things against my son, so that
• 13:18
  Speaker 1: to save him from prison, I had to pay a
• 13:21
  Speaker 1: ransom of six hundred pounds in gold. All might have
• 13:24
  Speaker 1: gone well even yet only that by inns and outs
• 13:28
  Speaker 1: and crookedness of laws, I was shorn like a sheep
• 13:32
  Speaker 1: that is clipped to the quick. So it came that
• 13:35
  Speaker 1: I had to pawn my lands to the Priory of
• 13:37
  Speaker 1: Emit for more money and a hard bargain. They drove
• 13:41
  Speaker 1: with me in my hour of need. Yet I would
• 13:44
  Speaker 1: have thee understand I grieved so for my lands only
• 13:47
  Speaker 1: because of my dear lady wife. But where is thy son? Now,
• 13:51
  Speaker 1: asked Robin, who had listened closely to all the Knight
• 13:54
  Speaker 1: had said in Palestine, said Sir Richard, battling like a
• 13:59
  Speaker 1: brave Christians for the Cross and the Holy sepulcher. Truly,
• 14:04
  Speaker 1: England was an ill place for him because of Sir
• 14:06
  Speaker 1: Walter's death and the hate of Blancastrian kinsman. Truly, said Robin,
• 14:12
  Speaker 1: much moved. Thine is a hard lot. But tell me
• 14:16
  Speaker 1: what is owing to emit? For thine estates only four
• 14:20
  Speaker 1: hundred pounds, said Sir Richard. At this Robin smote his
• 14:25
  Speaker 1: tie in anger. Oh the blood suckers, cried he a
• 14:30
  Speaker 1: noble estate to be forfeit for four hundred pounds. But
• 14:33
  Speaker 1: what will befall thee if thou dost lose thy land,
• 14:37
  Speaker 1: Sir Richard. It is not mine own lot that doth
• 14:40
  Speaker 1: trouble me in this case, said the Knight. But my
• 14:44
  Speaker 1: dear ladies, for should I lose my land, she will
• 14:47
  Speaker 1: have to betake herself to some kinsman, and there abide
• 14:51
  Speaker 1: in charity, which methinks would break her proud heart. As
• 14:55
  Speaker 1: for me, I will over the salt sea, and so
• 14:58
  Speaker 1: to Palestine to join my son in fight for the
• 15:01
  Speaker 1: Holy Sepulcher. Then up spake will Scarlet. But hast thou
• 15:07
  Speaker 1: no friend that will help thee in thy dire needs.
• 15:11
  Speaker 1: Never a man, said Sir Richard. While I was written
• 15:14
  Speaker 1: now at home and had friends, they blew great boasts
• 15:18
  Speaker 1: of how they loved me. But when the oak falls
• 15:21
  Speaker 1: in the forest, the swine run from beneath it, lest
• 15:24
  Speaker 1: they should be smitten down. Also, so my friends have
• 15:27
  Speaker 1: left me, for not only am I poor, but I
• 15:31
  Speaker 1: have great enemies. Then Robin said thou, sayest thou hast
• 15:35
  Speaker 1: no friend, Sir Richard, I make no boast, But many
• 15:39
  Speaker 1: have found Robin Hood a friend in their troubles. Cheerrups
• 15:42
  Speaker 1: the Knight. I may help thee. Yet the Knight shook
• 15:46
  Speaker 1: his head with faint smile. But for all that Robin's
• 15:49
  Speaker 1: words made him moblithe of heart. For in truth hope
• 15:53
  Speaker 1: be it, ever so faint bringeth a gleam into the darkness,
• 15:57
  Speaker 1: like a little rushlight that cosseth. But the groat the
• 16:02
  Speaker 1: day was well nigh gone. When they came near to
• 16:05
  Speaker 1: the greenwood tree. Even at a distance, they saw by
• 16:08
  Speaker 1: the number of the men that little John had come
• 16:10
  Speaker 1: back with some guest. But when they came near enough,
• 16:13
  Speaker 1: whom should they find but the Lord Bishop of Hereford.
• 16:18
  Speaker 1: The good Bishop was in a fine stew I walked
• 16:21
  Speaker 1: up and down. He walked beneath the tree, like a
• 16:23
  Speaker 1: fox caught in a hen poop. Behind him were three
• 16:27
  Speaker 1: black friars, standing close together in a frightened group, like
• 16:30
  Speaker 1: three black sheep in a tempest, hitched to the branches
• 16:34
  Speaker 1: of the tree, close at hand with six horses, one
• 16:37
  Speaker 1: of them a barb with gay trappings, upon which the
• 16:41
  Speaker 1: Bishop was wont to ride, and the others laden with
• 16:44
  Speaker 1: packs of divers, shapes and kinds, one of which made
• 16:48
  Speaker 1: Robin's eyes glisten, for it was a box, not over large,
• 16:52
  Speaker 1: but heavily bound with bands and ribs of iron. When
• 16:56
  Speaker 1: the Bishop saw Robin and those with him come into
• 16:58
  Speaker 1: the open, he as though he would run towards the yeoman.
• 17:02
  Speaker 1: But the fellow that guarded the Bishop and the three
• 17:04
  Speaker 1: friars thrust his quarter stuff in front, so that his
• 17:08
  Speaker 1: lordship was fain to stand back, though with frowning brow
• 17:11
  Speaker 1: and angry speech. Stay, my Lord Bishop, cried jolly Robin
• 17:16
  Speaker 1: in a loud voice. When he saw what had passed.
• 17:19
  Speaker 1: I will come to THEE with all speed, for I
• 17:21
  Speaker 1: would much rather see THEE than any man in merry England.
• 17:25
  Speaker 1: So saying, he quickened his steps, and soon came to
• 17:28
  Speaker 1: where the Bishop stood fuming. How now, quoth the Bishop
• 17:33
  Speaker 1: in a loud and angry voice, when Robin had so
• 17:35
  Speaker 1: come to him? Is this the way that thou and
• 17:38
  Speaker 1: thy band treat one so high in the church as
• 17:40
  Speaker 1: I am? I and these brethren were passing peacefully along
• 17:45
  Speaker 1: the high road, with our pack horses and half a
• 17:47
  Speaker 1: score of men to guard them, when up comes a
• 17:50
  Speaker 1: great stripping fellow, full seven feet high, with four score
• 17:54
  Speaker 1: or more men back of him, and calls upon me
• 17:57
  Speaker 1: to stop me. The Lord Bishop of Hair of Firth,
• 18:00
  Speaker 1: mind thee. Whereupon my armed guards bestrew them for cowards
• 18:06
  Speaker 1: straight ran off. But lookie, not only did this fellow
• 18:10
  Speaker 1: stop me, but he threatened me, saying that Robin Hood
• 18:13
  Speaker 1: would strip me as bare as the winter hedge. Then
• 18:17
  Speaker 1: beside all this he called me such vile names as
• 18:20
  Speaker 1: fat priest man, eating bishop, money, gorging you, surer, and
• 18:25
  Speaker 1: what not, as though I was no more than a
• 18:28
  Speaker 1: strolling beggar or tinker. At this the Bishop glared like
• 18:33
  Speaker 1: an angry cat, while even Sir Richard laughed. Only Robin
• 18:38
  Speaker 1: kept a grave face. Alas my lords hid he that
• 18:43
  Speaker 1: thou hast been so ill treated by my band. I
• 18:46
  Speaker 1: tell thee truly that we greatly reverence thy cloth. Little
• 18:50
  Speaker 1: John stand forth straightway. At these words, Little John came forward,
• 18:56
  Speaker 1: twisting his face into a whimsical look, as though he
• 18:58
  Speaker 1: would say, have upon me, good master. Then Robin turned
• 19:03
  Speaker 1: to the Bishop of Hereforth and said, is this the
• 19:06
  Speaker 1: man who spake so boldly to your lordship? Ay? Truly,
• 19:10
  Speaker 1: what's the same, said the Bishop, A naughty fellow? I
• 19:13
  Speaker 1: WoT and didst thou? Little John? Said Robin, in a
• 19:18
  Speaker 1: sad voice. Call his lordship a fat priest, ay, said
• 19:23
  Speaker 1: little John sorrowfully, and a man eating Bishop, I said
• 19:28
  Speaker 1: little John, more sorrowfully than before. And the money gorging you, sir, aye,
• 19:35
  Speaker 1: said little John, in so sorrowful a voice that it
• 19:37
  Speaker 1: might have drawn tears from the dragon of Wensley. Alas
• 19:43
  Speaker 1: that these things should be, said jolly Robin, turning to
• 19:47
  Speaker 1: the Bishop, for I have ever found little John a
• 19:50
  Speaker 1: truthful man. At this, a roar of laughter went up
• 19:55
  Speaker 1: whereat the blood rushed into the Bishop's face until it
• 19:58
  Speaker 1: was cherry red from crown to chin. But he said
• 20:01
  Speaker 1: nothing and only swallowed his words, though they well nigh
• 20:05
  Speaker 1: choked him. Nay, my Lord Bishop said Robin, we are
• 20:09
  Speaker 1: rough fellows, but I trust not such ill men as
• 20:12
  Speaker 1: thou thinkest. After all, there is not a man here
• 20:15
  Speaker 1: that would harm a hair on thy reverend's head. I
• 20:19
  Speaker 1: know thou art call by our jestings, but we are
• 20:22
  Speaker 1: all equal here in the greenwood, for there are no bishops,
• 20:25
  Speaker 1: nor barons, nor earls among us, only men. So thou
• 20:29
  Speaker 1: must share our life with us. While thou dost a
• 20:31
  Speaker 1: bride here, come busk ye, my merry men, and get
• 20:34
  Speaker 1: the feast ready. Meantime we will show our guests our
• 20:37
  Speaker 1: woodland spots. So while some went to kindle the fires
• 20:42
  Speaker 1: for roasting meats, others ran leaping to get their cudgeels
• 20:45
  Speaker 1: and blumbows. Then Robin brought forward Sir Richard of the Lee.
• 20:51
  Speaker 1: My Lord Bishop said, he here is another guest that
• 20:53
  Speaker 1: we have with us this day. I wish that thou
• 20:56
  Speaker 1: mightst know him better for I and all my men,
• 21:00
  Speaker 1: and will strive to honor you both with this merrymaking
• 21:03
  Speaker 1: Sir Richard, said the Bishop, in a reproachful tone. Methinkst
• 21:07
  Speaker 1: thou and I art companions and fellow sufferers in this
• 21:11
  Speaker 1: den of He was about to say thieves, but he
• 21:14
  Speaker 1: stopped suddenly and looked, asking, said Robin Hood, speak out, Bishop,
• 21:18
  Speaker 1: quoth Robin laughing, we of Sherwood checked not an easy
• 21:22
  Speaker 1: flow of words than of thieves. Thou wert about to say,
• 21:26
  Speaker 1: quoth the Bishop. Mayhap that was what I meant to say,
• 21:29
  Speaker 1: Sir Richard. But this I will say that I saw
• 21:33
  Speaker 1: THEE just now laugh at the scoreless jests of these fellows.
• 21:37
  Speaker 1: It would have been more becoming of THEE. Misthinks to
• 21:40
  Speaker 1: have checked them with frowns instead of spurring them on
• 21:43
  Speaker 1: with laughter. I meant no harm to THEE, said Sir Richard.
• 21:47
  Speaker 1: But a merry jest is a merry jest, and I
• 21:50
  Speaker 1: may truly say I would have laughed at it had
• 21:52
  Speaker 1: it been against mine own self. But now Robin Hood
• 21:56
  Speaker 1: called upon certain ones of his band, who spread soft
• 21:59
  Speaker 1: masks upon the ground and laid deer skin thereon. Then
• 22:04
  Speaker 1: Robin bade his guest be seated, and so they all
• 22:07
  Speaker 1: three sat down, and some of the chief men such
• 22:10
  Speaker 1: as little John will Scarlet, Elean Adile, and others stretching
• 22:14
  Speaker 1: themselves upon the ground near by. Then a garland was
• 22:17
  Speaker 1: set up at the far end of the glade, and
• 22:20
  Speaker 1: there at the bowmen shot, And such shooting was done
• 22:23
  Speaker 1: that day as they would have made one's heart leap
• 22:25
  Speaker 1: to sea. And all the while Robin talked so quaintly
• 22:29
  Speaker 1: to the Bishop and the Knight, that the one forgetting
• 22:32
  Speaker 1: his vexation in the other his troubles. They both laughed
• 22:35
  Speaker 1: aloud again and again. Then eleanor Dale came forth and
• 22:40
  Speaker 1: tuned his harp, and all was hushed around, and he
• 22:44
  Speaker 1: sang in his wondrous voice songs of love, of war,
• 22:48
  Speaker 1: of glory, and of sadness. And all listened without a
• 22:51
  Speaker 1: movement or a sound. So allan sang till the great
• 22:57
  Speaker 1: round silver moon gleamed with its clear white light amid
• 23:01
  Speaker 1: the upper tangle of the mazy branches of the trees.
• 23:05
  Speaker 1: At last two fellows came to say that the feast
• 23:07
  Speaker 1: was ready spread. So Robin, leading his guests with either hand,
• 23:12
  Speaker 1: brought them to where great smoking dishes sent savory smells
• 23:16
  Speaker 1: far and near stood along the white linen cloth spread
• 23:20
  Speaker 1: upon the grass. All around was a glare of torches
• 23:25
  Speaker 1: that lit everything up in a red light. Then straightway,
• 23:29
  Speaker 1: sitting down, all fell to with noise and hubbub, the
• 23:34
  Speaker 1: rattling of platters blending with the sound of loud talking
• 23:37
  Speaker 1: and laughter. A long time the feast lasted, but at
• 23:41
  Speaker 1: last all was over, and the bright wine and humming
• 23:44
  Speaker 1: ale passed briskly. Then robin Hood called aloud for silence,
• 23:49
  Speaker 1: and all was hushed till he spoke, I have a
• 23:53
  Speaker 1: story to tell you all, so listen to what I
• 23:55
  Speaker 1: have to say, quoth he, Whereupon, without much ado, he
• 23:59
  Speaker 1: told them all about Sir Richard and how his lands
• 24:02
  Speaker 1: were in Pawn. But as he went on, the bishop's face,
• 24:06
  Speaker 1: which had erst been smiling and ruddy with merriment, waxed serious,
• 24:11
  Speaker 1: and he put aside the horn of wine he held
• 24:13
  Speaker 1: in his hand, for he knew the story of Sir Richard,
• 24:16
  Speaker 1: and his heart sank within him with grim forebodings. Then,
• 24:20
  Speaker 1: when robin Hood had done, he turned to the Bishop
• 24:23
  Speaker 1: of Hereford. Now, my lord Bishop, said he dost thou
• 24:27
  Speaker 1: not think this is ill done of any one, much
• 24:30
  Speaker 1: more of a churchman who should live in humbleness and charity.
• 24:34
  Speaker 1: To this the bishop answered not a word, but looked
• 24:37
  Speaker 1: upon the ground with moody eyes. Quoth Robin, now thou
• 24:42
  Speaker 1: art the richest bishop in all England? Canst thou not
• 24:45
  Speaker 1: help this needy brother? But still the bishop answered not
• 24:49
  Speaker 1: a word. Then Robin turned to Little John and quoth
• 24:52
  Speaker 1: he go thou and Wilt Stuteley, and bring forth those
• 24:56
  Speaker 1: five pack horses yonder. Whereupon the two yeomen did as
• 25:00
  Speaker 1: they were bidden, those about the cloth making room, upon
• 25:03
  Speaker 1: the green, where the light was the brightest. For the
• 25:06
  Speaker 1: five horses which Little John and will Stuteley presently led forward,
• 25:11
  Speaker 1: who hath the score of the goods? Asked Robin Hood,
• 25:14
  Speaker 1: looking at the black friars. Then up spake the smallest
• 25:18
  Speaker 1: of all, in a trembling voice, an old man. He was,
• 25:22
  Speaker 1: with a gentle, wrinkled face. Death have I but I
• 25:26
  Speaker 1: pray THEE harm me not? Nay, quoth Robin. I have
• 25:30
  Speaker 1: never harmed harmless men yet. But give it to me,
• 25:33
  Speaker 1: good father. So the old man did as he was bidden,
• 25:37
  Speaker 1: and handed Robin the tablet on which was marked down
• 25:40
  Speaker 1: the account of the various packages upon the horses. This
• 25:44
  Speaker 1: Robin handed to will Scarlet, bidding him to read the same.
• 25:48
  Speaker 1: So will Scarlet, lifting his voice, that all might hear,
• 25:51
  Speaker 1: began three bales of silk to Quentin, the mercer at Ancaster.
• 25:57
  Speaker 1: That we touch not, quoth Robin. For this Uinton is
• 26:00
  Speaker 1: an honest fellow who hath risen by his own thrift.
• 26:04
  Speaker 1: So the bales of silk were laid aside, unopened. One
• 26:08
  Speaker 1: bale of silk velvet for the Abbey of Beaumont. What
• 26:12
  Speaker 1: do these priests want with silk velvet, quoth Robin. Nevertheless,
• 26:17
  Speaker 1: though they need it not, I will not take it
• 26:19
  Speaker 1: all from them. Measure it off into three lots, one
• 26:23
  Speaker 1: to be sold for charity, one for us, and one
• 26:26
  Speaker 1: for the abbey. So this too was done. As Robin
• 26:29
  Speaker 1: Hood bade two score of great wax candles for the
• 26:34
  Speaker 1: chapel of Saint Thomas. That belongeth fairly to the chapel,
• 26:38
  Speaker 1: quoth Robin, so laid to one side. Far be it
• 26:41
  Speaker 1: from us to take from the blessed Saint Thomas that
• 26:44
  Speaker 1: which belongeth to him. So this also was done according
• 26:49
  Speaker 1: to Robin's bidding, and the candles were laid to one side,
• 26:52
  Speaker 1: along with honest Quintin's unopened bales of silk. So the
• 26:56
  Speaker 1: list was gone through with, and the goods adjudged according
• 26:59
  Speaker 1: to to what Robin thought most fit. Some things were
• 27:03
  Speaker 1: laid aside untouched, and many were opened and divided into
• 27:06
  Speaker 1: three equal parts for charity, for themselves and for the owners.
• 27:11
  Speaker 1: And now all the ground in the torchlight was covered
• 27:15
  Speaker 1: over with silks and velvets, and cloths of gold, and
• 27:19
  Speaker 1: cases of rich wine. And so they came to the
• 27:22
  Speaker 1: last line upon the tablet a box belonged to the
• 27:25
  Speaker 1: Lord Bishop of Herriforth. At these words, the bishop shook
• 27:29
  Speaker 1: as though with a chill, and the box were set
• 27:32
  Speaker 1: upon the ground. My Lord Bishop hast thou the key
• 27:35
  Speaker 1: to this box, asked Robin. The Bishop shook his head.
• 27:40
  Speaker 1: Go will Scarlet, said Robin, thou art the strongest man here.
• 27:44
  Speaker 1: Bring a sword straightway and cut this box open. If
• 27:47
  Speaker 1: thou canst then up rose will Scarlet and left them.
• 27:52
  Speaker 1: Coming back in a short time bearing a great two
• 27:55
  Speaker 1: handed sword. Thrice he smot that strong iron bound by,
• 28:00
  Speaker 1: and at the third blow it bust open, and a
• 28:03
  Speaker 1: great heap of gold came rolling forth, gleaming red in
• 28:07
  Speaker 1: the light of the torches. At this sight a murmur
• 28:11
  Speaker 1: went all around among the band, like the sound of
• 28:14
  Speaker 1: a wind in the distant trees. But no man came
• 28:18
  Speaker 1: forth nor touched the money, quoth Robin Thou, Will Scarlet,
• 28:23
  Speaker 1: Thou eleanor Dale, and thou little John count it over
• 28:27
  Speaker 1: a long time it took to count all the money,
• 28:30
  Speaker 1: And when it had been duly scored up, Will Scarlet
• 28:33
  Speaker 1: called out that there were fifteen hundred golden pounds in all.
• 28:38
  Speaker 1: But in among the gold they found a paper, and
• 28:41
  Speaker 1: this Will Scarlet read in a loud voice, and all
• 28:45
  Speaker 1: heard that the money was the rental and fines and
• 28:49
  Speaker 1: forfeits from certain estates belonging to the Bishopric of Hereforth,
• 28:55
  Speaker 1: my lord Bishop, said Robin hood, I will not strip thee,
• 28:58
  Speaker 1: as little John said, like a winter hedge. For thou
• 29:02
  Speaker 1: shalt take back one third of thy money. One third
• 29:06
  Speaker 1: of it thou canst well spare us for thy entertainment,
• 29:09
  Speaker 1: and that for thy train, for thou art very rich,
• 29:13
  Speaker 1: and one third of it thou canst better spare for charity.
• 29:17
  Speaker 1: For Bishop, I hear that thou art of hard master
• 29:20
  Speaker 1: to those beneath thee, and a close hoarder of gains,
• 29:24
  Speaker 1: which thou canst better, and with more credit to thyself
• 29:27
  Speaker 1: give to charity than spread upon thine own likings. At
• 29:32
  Speaker 1: this the Bishop looked up, but he could say never
• 29:35
  Speaker 1: a word. Yet he was thankful to keep some of
• 29:38
  Speaker 1: his wealth. Then Robin turned to Sir Richard of the
• 29:42
  Speaker 1: Lee and quoth he now, Sir Richard, the church seem
• 29:45
  Speaker 1: like to despoil THEE. Therefore some of the overplus of
• 29:49
  Speaker 1: church gains may well be used in abiding THEE. Thou
• 29:53
  Speaker 1: shalt take that five hundred pounds laid aside for people
• 29:56
  Speaker 1: more in need than the bishop is, and shalt pay
• 29:59
  Speaker 1: thy debts to emit Hereforth, Sir Richard looked at Robin
• 30:05
  Speaker 1: until something arose in his eyes that made all the
• 30:08
  Speaker 1: lights and the faces blur together. At last he said,
• 30:13
  Speaker 1: I thank THEE Friend from my heart for what thou
• 30:16
  Speaker 1: dost for me. Yet think not ill if I cannot
• 30:19
  Speaker 1: take thy gift freely, But this I will do. I
• 30:23
  Speaker 1: will take the money and pay my debts, and in
• 30:25
  Speaker 1: a year and a day hence will return it safe,
• 30:28
  Speaker 1: either to THEE or to the law Bishop of Hereforth.
• 30:32
  Speaker 1: For this I pledge my most solemn knightly word. I
• 30:35
  Speaker 1: feel free to borrow, for I know no man that
• 30:38
  Speaker 1: should be more bound to aid me than one so
• 30:41
  Speaker 1: high in that church that hath driven such a hard bargain. Truly,
• 30:45
  Speaker 1: Sir Knight, quoth Robin, I do not understand these fine
• 30:49
  Speaker 1: scruples that weigh with those of thy kind. But nevertheless
• 30:53
  Speaker 1: it shall all be as thou doth wish. But thou
• 30:57
  Speaker 1: hadst best bring the money to me at the end
• 30:59
  Speaker 1: of the year, for mayhap I may make better use
• 31:02
  Speaker 1: of it than the bishop. Thereupon, turning to those near him,
• 31:07
  Speaker 1: he gave his orders, and five hundred pounds were counted
• 31:10
  Speaker 1: out and tied in a leathern bag for Sir Richard.
• 31:13
  Speaker 1: The rest of the treasure was divided, and part taken
• 31:16
  Speaker 1: to the treasure house of the band, and part put
• 31:19
  Speaker 1: by with the other things for the Bishop. Then Sir
• 31:22
  Speaker 1: Richard arose, I cannot stay. Later, good friends, said he,
• 31:26
  Speaker 1: for my lady will wax anxious if I come not home,
• 31:29
  Speaker 1: so I crave leave to depart. Then Sir Robin Hood
• 31:33
  Speaker 1: and all his merry men arose, and Robin said, we
• 31:35
  Speaker 1: cannot let thee go hands unattended Sir Richard. Then up
• 31:39
  Speaker 1: spake little John, good Master, let me choose a score
• 31:43
  Speaker 1: of stout fellows from the band, and let us arm
• 31:46
  Speaker 1: ourselves in a seemly manner. And so sir as retain
• 31:49
  Speaker 1: us to Sir Richard till he can get others in
• 31:51
  Speaker 1: our stead. Thou hast spoken well, little John, and it
• 31:55
  Speaker 1: shall be done, said Robin. Then up spake, will Scarlet,
• 32:00
  Speaker 1: Let us give him a golden chain to hang about
• 32:02
  Speaker 1: his neck, such as befits one of his blood, and
• 32:05
  Speaker 1: also golden spurs to wear at his heels. Then, Robin Hood,
• 32:09
  Speaker 1: said thou hast spoken well, will Scarlet, and it shall
• 32:13
  Speaker 1: be done. Then up spake, wilt stutely, let us give
• 32:17
  Speaker 1: him yon bale of rich velvet and yon roll of
• 32:21
  Speaker 1: cloth of gold to take home to his noble lady
• 32:23
  Speaker 1: wife as a present from Robin Hood and his merry men.
• 32:26
  Speaker 1: All at this all clapped their hands for joy, and
• 32:30
  Speaker 1: Robin said thou hast well spoken, will Stutley, and it
• 32:34
  Speaker 1: shall be done. Then Sir Richard of the Lee looked
• 32:38
  Speaker 1: all around and strove to speak, but could scarcely do
• 32:42
  Speaker 1: so for the feelings that choked him. At last, he said,
• 32:45
  Speaker 1: in a husky, trembling voice, Ye shall all see, good friends,
• 32:50
  Speaker 1: that Sir Richard or the Lee will ever remember your
• 32:53
  Speaker 1: kindness this day, and if ye be at any time
• 32:56
  Speaker 1: in dire need or trouble, come to me and my lady,
• 32:59
  Speaker 1: and the wall of Castle Lee shall be battered down
• 33:02
  Speaker 1: ere harm shall befall thee Aye. He could say nothing further,
• 33:06
  Speaker 1: but turned hastily away. But now Little John and nineteen
• 33:11
  Speaker 1: stout fellows, whom he had chosen for his band, came forth,
• 33:14
  Speaker 1: all ready for the journey. Each man wore upon his
• 33:18
  Speaker 1: breast a coat of linked mail, and on his head
• 33:21
  Speaker 1: a cap of steel, and at his side a good
• 33:24
  Speaker 1: stout sword. A gallant show they made as they all
• 33:28
  Speaker 1: stood in a row. Then Robin came and threw a
• 33:31
  Speaker 1: chain of gold about Sir Richard's neck, and will Scarlet
• 33:34
  Speaker 1: knelt and buckled the golden spurs upon his heels. And
• 33:38
  Speaker 1: now Little John led forward Sir Richard's horse, and the
• 33:41
  Speaker 1: Knight mounted. He looked down at Robin for a little time,
• 33:45
  Speaker 1: then off a sudden stooped and kissed his cheek. All
• 33:48
  Speaker 1: the forest glades rang with a shout that went up
• 33:51
  Speaker 1: as the Knight and the Yeoman marched off through the
• 33:54
  Speaker 1: woodland with the glare of torches and gleam of steel
• 33:57
  Speaker 1: and so were gone. Then up spake the Bishop of Hereforth,
• 34:02
  Speaker 1: in a mournful voice, I too must be jogging good
• 34:05
  Speaker 1: fellow for the Knight, waxes late. But Robin laid his
• 34:09
  Speaker 1: hand upon the Bishop's arm and stayed him. Be not
• 34:12
  Speaker 1: so hasty, Lord Bishop, said he three days. Hence, Sir
• 34:16
  Speaker 1: Richard must pay his debt to emit until that time.
• 34:19
  Speaker 1: Thou must be content to abide with me, lest thou
• 34:22
  Speaker 1: breed trouble for the Knight. I promise Thee that thou
• 34:26
  Speaker 1: shalt have great spot, for I know that thou art
• 34:29
  Speaker 1: fond of hunting the dun deer, lay by thy mantle
• 34:33
  Speaker 1: of melancholy, and strive to lead a joyous yeoman life.
• 34:36
  Speaker 1: For three stout days. I promise Thee thou shalt be
• 34:39
  Speaker 1: sorry to go when the time has come. So the
• 34:42
  Speaker 1: Bishop and his train abided with Robin for three days,
• 34:46
  Speaker 1: and much sport his lordship had in that time, so that,
• 34:49
  Speaker 1: as Robin had said, when the time had come for
• 34:51
  Speaker 1: him to go, he was sorry to leave the greenwood.
• 34:54
  Speaker 1: At the end of the three days, Robin set him
• 34:56
  Speaker 1: free and sent him forth from the forest with a
• 34:59
  Speaker 1: guard of yeomen to keep free booters from taking what
• 35:02
  Speaker 1: was left of the packs and bundles. But as the
• 35:06
  Speaker 1: bishop rode away, he vowed within himself that he would
• 35:09
  Speaker 1: some time make Robin rue the day that he had
• 35:12
  Speaker 1: stopped him in Sherwood. But now we shall follow Sir Richard.
• 35:16
  Speaker 1: So listen and you shall hear what befell him, and
• 35:19
  Speaker 1: how he paid his debts at Emmet Priory, and likewise
• 35:23
  Speaker 1: in due season to robin Hood. End of Chapter fourteen