Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood and Will Scarlet
Aftertheyhadtraveledsomedistance,thedaybeingwarmandtheroaddusty,RobinHoodwaxedthirsty;so,therebeingafountainofwaterascoldasice,justbehindthehedgerow,theycrossedthestileandcametowherethewaterbubbledupfrombeneathamossystone.Here,kneelingandmakingcupsofthepalmsoftheirhands,theydranktheirfill,andthen,thespotbeingcoolandshady,theystretchedtheirlimbsandrestedthemforaspace.
Infrontofthem,overbeyondthehedge,thedustyroadstretchedawayacrosstheplain;behindthemthemeadowlandsandbrightgreenfieldsoftenderyoungcornlaybroadlyinthesun,andoverheadspreadtheshadeofthecool,rustlingleavesofthebeechentree.Pleasantlytotheirnostrilscamethetenderfragranceofthepurplevioletsandwildthymethatgrewwithinthedewymoistureoftheedgeofthelittlefountain,andpleasantlycamethesoftgurgleofthewater.AllwassopleasantandsofullofthegentlejoyofthebrightMaytime,thatforalongtimenooneofthethreecaredtospeak,buteachlayonhisback,gazingupthroughthetremblingleavesofthetreestothebrightskyoverhead.Atlast,Robin,whosethoughtswerenotquitesobusywool-gatheringasthoseoftheothers,andwhohadbeengazingaroundhimnowandthen,brokethesilence.
"Heyday!"quothhe,"yonisagailyfeatheredbird,Itakemyvow."
Theotherslookedandsawayoungmanwalkingslowlydownthehighway.
