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23 - Robin Hood by J Walker McSpadden · Robin Hood

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: How robin Hood and Maid Marian were wed. Stand up again,
• 0:04
  Speaker 1: then said the King, all thee thy pardon give stand
• 0:08
  Speaker 1: up my friend, who can contend when I give leave
• 0:11
  Speaker 1: to live? Then robin Hood began a health to marry
• 0:15
  Speaker 1: in his only deer, and his yeomen, all both comely
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  Speaker 1: and tall, did quickly bring up the rear. Your pardon, sire,
• 0:23
  Speaker 1: exclaimed robin Hood. Pardon from your royal bounty for these
• 0:27
  Speaker 1: my men, who stand ready to serve you all your days.
• 0:31
  Speaker 1: Richard of the Lion Heart looked grimly about over the
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  Speaker 1: kneeling band. Is it as your leader says? He asked, I,
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  Speaker 1: my Lord King, burst from seven score throats at once.
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  Speaker 1: We be not outlaws from choice alone, continued Robin, but
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  Speaker 1: have been driven to outlawry through oppression. Grant us grace
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  Speaker 1: and royal protection, and we will forsake the greenwood and
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  Speaker 1: follow the King. Richard's eyes sparkled as he looked from
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  Speaker 1: one to another of this stalwart band, and he thought
• 0:59
  Speaker 1: within himself that here, indeed was a royal bodyguard worth
• 1:02
  Speaker 1: the while. Swear, he said, in his full rich voice,
• 1:07
  Speaker 1: Swear that you, Robin Hood and all your men, from
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  Speaker 1: this day henceforth will serve the King, we swear came
• 1:13
  Speaker 1: once more the answering shout from the yeomen arise. Then
• 1:17
  Speaker 1: said King Richard, I give you all free pardon, and
• 1:20
  Speaker 1: will speedily put your service to the test. For I
• 1:23
  Speaker 1: love such archers as you have shown yourselves to be,
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  Speaker 1: and it were a sad pity to decree such men
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  Speaker 1: to death. England could not produce the like again for
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  Speaker 1: many a day. But in sooth I cannot allow you
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  Speaker 1: to roam in the forest and shoot my dear, nor
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  Speaker 1: to take the law of the land into your own hands.
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  Speaker 1: Therefore I now appoint you to be royal archers, and
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  Speaker 1: mine own especial bodyguard. There be one or two civil
• 1:46
  Speaker 1: matters to settle with certain Norman noblemen, in which I
• 1:49
  Speaker 1: crave your aid. Thereafter, the half of your number, as
• 1:53
  Speaker 1: may later be determined, shall come back to these woodlands
• 1:56
  Speaker 1: as royal foresters. Mayhap you will show as much zeal
• 2:00
  Speaker 1: in protecting my preserves as you have formerly shown in
• 2:03
  Speaker 1: hunting them. Where now is that outlaw known as Little John?
• 2:08
  Speaker 1: Stand forth here, sire, quoth the giant, doffing his cap.
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  Speaker 1: Good Master Little John, said the King, looking him over approvingly,
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  Speaker 1: could your weak sinew stand the strain of an office
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  Speaker 1: in the shire. If so you are this day Sheriff
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  Speaker 1: of Nottingham, and I trust you will make a better
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  Speaker 1: official than the man you relieve. I shall do my best, sire,
• 2:29
  Speaker 1: said little John, great astonishment and gladness in his heart.
• 2:33
  Speaker 1: Master Scarlet stand forth, said the King, and then addressing him,
• 2:37
  Speaker 1: I have heard somewhat of your tale, quoth he, and
• 2:40
  Speaker 1: that your father was the friend of my father. Now therefore,
• 2:44
  Speaker 1: accept the royal pardon and resume the care of your family. Estates,
• 2:48
  Speaker 1: for your father must be growing old, and come you
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  Speaker 1: to London next court day, and we shall see if
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  Speaker 1: there be a knighthood vacant. Likewise, the King called for
• 2:56
  Speaker 1: will Stuteley and made him chief of the royal archers.
• 3:00
  Speaker 1: Then he summoned Friar Tuck to draw near. I crave
• 3:02
  Speaker 1: my King's pardon, said the priest, humbly enough. For who
• 3:05
  Speaker 1: am I to lift my hand against the Lord's anointed Nay,
• 3:09
  Speaker 1: the Lord sent the smiter to thee without delay, returned Richard, smiling,
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  Speaker 1: and tis not for me to continue a quarrel between
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  Speaker 1: church and state. So what can I do for you
• 3:20
  Speaker 1: in payment of last night's hospitality. Can I find some
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  Speaker 1: fat living where there are no wicked to chastise, and
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  Speaker 1: where the work is easy and comfortable, not soul? My
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  Speaker 1: lord replied Tuck. I wish only for peace in this life.
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  Speaker 1: Mine is a simple nature, and I care not for
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  Speaker 1: the fripperies and follies of court life. Give me a
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  Speaker 1: good meal and a cup of right brew health, and
• 3:41
  Speaker 1: enough for the day, and I ask no more, Richard sighed,
• 3:45
  Speaker 1: you ask the greatest thing in the world, brother, contentment.
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  Speaker 1: It is not mine to give or to deny. But
• 3:51
  Speaker 1: ask your God for it. And if belike he granted,
• 3:54
  Speaker 1: then ask it also in behalf of your king. He
• 3:57
  Speaker 1: glanced around once more at the foresters. Which for one
• 4:00
  Speaker 1: of you is Allan? A dale? He asked? And Allan
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  Speaker 1: came forward, So said the king with sober face. You
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  Speaker 1: are that errant minstrel who stole a bride at Plimpton,
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  Speaker 1: despite her would be groom and attending bishop. I heard
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  Speaker 1: something of this in former days. Now what excuse have
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  Speaker 1: you to make? Only that I loved her, sire, and
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  Speaker 1: she loved me, said Allan simply. And the Norman lord
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  Speaker 1: would have married her perforce because of her lands which
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  Speaker 1: have since been forfeited by the Bishop of Hereford, replied Richard.
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  Speaker 1: But my lord Bishop must disgorge them, and from tomorrow
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  Speaker 1: you and Mistress Dale are to return to them and
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  Speaker 1: live in peace and loyalty. And if ever I need
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  Speaker 1: your harp at court, stand ready to attend me, and
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  Speaker 1: bring also the lady. Speaking of ladies, he continued, turning
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  Speaker 1: to Robin Hood, who had stood silent, wondering if a
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  Speaker 1: special punishment was being reserved for him. Did you not
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  Speaker 1: have a sweetheart who was once at court one, Mistress Marian.
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  Speaker 1: What has become of her that you should have forgotten her? Nay,
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  Speaker 1: your majesty, said the black eyed page, coming forward, blushingly.
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  Speaker 1: Robin has not forgotten me, so said the King, bending
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  Speaker 1: to kiss her small hand in all gallantry. Verily, as
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  Speaker 1: I have already thought within myself, this masterhood is better
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  Speaker 1: served than the King in his palace. But are you
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  Speaker 1: not the only child of the late Earl of Huntingdon,
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  Speaker 1: I am, sire. Though there be some who say that
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  Speaker 1: Robin Hood's father was formerly the rightful Earl of Huntingdon naythless,
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  Speaker 1: neither he is advantaged nor I, for the estates are confiscate.
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  Speaker 1: Then they shall be restored forthwith, cried the King. And
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  Speaker 1: least you two should revive the ancient quarrel over them,
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  Speaker 1: I bestow them upon you jointly. Come forward, Robin Hood.
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  Speaker 1: Robin came and knelt before his king. Richard drew his
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  Speaker 1: sword and touched him upon the shoulder. Rise Robin Fitzooth,
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  Speaker 1: Earl of Huntingdon, he exclaimed, while a mighty cheer arose
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  Speaker 1: from the band, and rent the air of the forest.
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  Speaker 1: The first command I give you, my lord, earle, continued
• 6:02
  Speaker 1: the King, when quiet was restored, is to marry Mistress
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  Speaker 1: Marian without delay. May I obey all your Majesty's commands
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  Speaker 1: as willingly, cried the new Earl of Huntington, drawing the
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  Speaker 1: old Earl's daughter close to him. The ceremony shall take
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  Speaker 1: place tomorrow, and this maid is willing. She makes little protest,
• 6:21
  Speaker 1: said the King, so I shall even give away the
• 6:24
  Speaker 1: bride myself. Then the King chatted with others of the
• 6:27
  Speaker 1: foresters and made himself as one of them for the evening,
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  Speaker 1: rejoicing that he could have this careless freedom of the
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  Speaker 1: woods and much The Miller's son and Arthur of Bland
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  Speaker 1: and Middle and Stuteley, and Scarlet and Little John and
• 6:40
  Speaker 1: others played at the quarterstaff, giving and getting many lusty blows. Then,
• 6:45
  Speaker 1: as the shades of night drew on the whole company,
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  Speaker 1: knights and foresters supped and drank around a blazing fire,
• 6:52
  Speaker 1: while Allan sang sweetly to the thrumbing of the harp,
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  Speaker 1: and the others joined in the course. Twas a happy,
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  Speaker 1: carefree knight, this last one together under the greenwood tree.
• 7:02
  Speaker 1: Robin could not help feeling an undertone of sadness that
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  Speaker 1: it was to be the last, for the charm of
• 7:07
  Speaker 1: the woodland was still upon him. But he knew twas
• 7:11
  Speaker 1: better so, and that the new life with Marian and
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  Speaker 1: in the service of his King would bring its own joys.
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  Speaker 1: Then the knight deepened, The fire sank, but was replenished,
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  Speaker 1: and the company lay down to rest. The King, at
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  Speaker 1: his own requests, spent the night in the open. Thus
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  Speaker 1: they slept, King and subject alike, out under the stars,
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  Speaker 1: cared for lovingly by nature, kind mother of us. All.
• 7:34
  Speaker 1: In the morning the company was early astir and on
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  Speaker 1: their way to Nottingham. It was a goodly cavalcade. First
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  Speaker 1: rode King Richard of the Lion Heart, with his tall
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  Speaker 1: figure set forth by the black armor and waving plume
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  Speaker 1: in his helm. Then came Sir Richard of the Leah
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  Speaker 1: with fourscore knights and men at arms, and after them
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  Speaker 1: came Robin Hood and made Marian, riding upon milk white steeds.
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  Speaker 1: Alan A Dale also escorted Mistress Dale on horse, for
• 8:00
  Speaker 1: she was to be matron of honor at the wedding.
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  Speaker 1: These were followed by seven score archers, clad in their
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  Speaker 1: bravest Lincoln green and with their new bows unstrung in
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  Speaker 1: token of peace. Outside the gates of Nottingham Town. They
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  Speaker 1: were halted. Who comes here? Asked the warder's surly voice,
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  Speaker 1: open to the King of England. Came back the clear answer,
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  Speaker 1: and the gates were opened, and the bridge let down
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  Speaker 1: without delay. Almost before the company had crossed the moat,
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  Speaker 1: the news spread through the town like wildfire. The King
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  Speaker 1: is here, the King is here, and hath taken Robin Hood.
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  Speaker 1: From every corner flocked the people to see the company pass,
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  Speaker 1: and wildly did they cheer for the King, who rode
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  Speaker 1: smilingly with bared head down through the market place. At
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  Speaker 1: the far end of it, he was met by the sheriff,
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  Speaker 1: who came up, puffing in his haste to do the
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  Speaker 1: king honor. He fairly turned green with rage when he
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  Speaker 1: saw Sir Richard of the Leah and Robin Hood in
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  Speaker 1: the royal company, but made low obeisance to his master.
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  Speaker 1: Sir Sheriff, quoth the King, I have come to rid
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  Speaker 1: the shire of outlaws. According to my promise. There be
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  Speaker 1: none left, for all have now taken service with their King,
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  Speaker 1: and least there should be further outbreak, I have determined
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  Speaker 1: to place in charge of this shire a man who
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  Speaker 1: fears no other man in it. Master little John is
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  Speaker 1: hereby created Sheriff of Nottingham, and you will turn over
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  Speaker 1: the keys to him forthwith. The Sheriff bowed but dared
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  Speaker 1: utter no word. Then the King turned to the Bishop
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  Speaker 1: of Hereford, who had also come up to pay his respects.
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  Speaker 1: Hark ye, my Lord Bishop, quoth he the stench of
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  Speaker 1: your evil actions had reached our nostrils. We shall demand
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  Speaker 1: strict accounting for certain seizures of the lands and certain
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  Speaker 1: acts of oppression which ill become a churchman. But of this,
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  Speaker 1: later this afternoon you must officiate at the wedding of
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  Speaker 1: two of our company in Nottingham Church. So make you ready.
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  Speaker 1: The Bishop also bowed and departed, glad to escape a
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  Speaker 1: severe censure for the time. The company then rode on
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  Speaker 1: to the Mansion House, where the King held High Levey
• 10:00
  Speaker 1: through all the noon hours, and the whole town made
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  Speaker 1: a holiday in the afternoon. The way from the mansion
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  Speaker 1: House to Nottingham Church was lined with cheering people. As
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  Speaker 1: the wedding party passed by. The famous bowmen were gazed
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  Speaker 1: at as curiously as though they had been wild animals,
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  Speaker 1: but were cheered none the less. Robin, who had long
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  Speaker 1: been held in secret liking, was now doubly popular since
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  Speaker 1: he had the King's favor. Along the way, ahead of
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  Speaker 1: the King and the smiling bride and groom to be
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  Speaker 1: ran little maids strewing flowers, while streamers floated in greeting
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  Speaker 1: from the windows. I ween, the only hearts that were
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  Speaker 1: not glad this day were those of the old sheriff
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  Speaker 1: and of his proud daughter, who peered between the shutters
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  Speaker 1: of her window and was like to eat out her
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  Speaker 1: heart from envy and hatred. At last the party reached
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  Speaker 1: the church, where the King dismounted lightly from his horse
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  Speaker 1: and helped the bride to alight, while will Scarlett, the
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  Speaker 1: best man, assisted Mistress Dale. Within the church, they found
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  Speaker 1: the Bishop robed in state, and by his side Friar Tuck,
• 11:00
  Speaker 1: who had been especially deputed to assist. The service was
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  Speaker 1: set in Latin, while the organ pealed forth softly. The
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  Speaker 1: King gave away the bride as he had said, and
• 11:10
  Speaker 1: afterwards claimed first kiss for his pains. Then the happy
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  Speaker 1: party dispersed, and Robin and Marian passed out again through
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  Speaker 1: the portal. Man and wife out through the cheering streets
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  Speaker 1: they fared, while the greenwood men ran ahead and flung
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  Speaker 1: gold pennies right and left in their joy, and bade
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  Speaker 1: the people drink the health of the young couple and
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  Speaker 1: the King. Then the whole party took horse at Will
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  Speaker 1: Scarlett's earnest wish, and went down to Gamewell Lodge, where
• 11:35
  Speaker 1: the old Squire George wept for joy at seeing his
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  Speaker 1: son and the king and the wedding party. That night
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  Speaker 1: they spent there and feasted, and the next day Sir
• 11:44
  Speaker 1: Richard of the Leah claimed them. And thus, amid feasting
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  Speaker 1: and rejoicing and kingly favor, Robin Hood, the new Earl
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  Speaker 1: of Huntingdon, and his bride, began their wedded life, so
• 11:57
  Speaker 1: ends Chapter twenty three