Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood and Will Scarlet
Dostthounotremember,lad,howIshowedtheetheproperwaytonipthegoosefeatherbetwixtthyfingersandthrowoutthybowarmsteadily?Thougayestgreatpromiseofbeingakeenarcher.AnddostthounotmindhowItaughttheetofendandparrywiththecudgel?"
"Yea,"saidyoungGamwell,"andIdidsolookuptothee,andthoughttheesoaboveallothermenthat,Imakemyvow,hadIknownwhothouwert,Iwouldneverhavedaredtolifthandagainsttheethisday.ItrustIdidtheenogreatharm."
"No,no,"quothRobinhastily,andlookingsidewaysatLittleJohn,"thoudidstnotharmme.Butsaynomoreofthat,Iprythee.YetIwillsay,lad,thatIhopeImayneverfeelagainsuchablowasthoudidstgiveme.By’rLady,myarmdothtingleyetfromfingernailtoelbow.Truly,IthoughtthatIwaspalsiedforlife.Itellthee,coz,thatthouartthestrongestmanthateverIlaidmineeyesupon.Itakemyvow,IfeltmystomachquakewhenIbeheldtheepluckupyongreentreeasthoudidst.Buttellme,howcamestthoutoleaveSirEdwardandthymother?"
"Alas!"answeredyoungGamwell,"itisanillstory,uncle,thatIhavetotellthee.Myfather’ssteward,whocametousafteroldGilesCrooklegdied,waseverasaucyvarlet,andIknownotwhymyfatherkepthim,savingthathedidoverseewithgreatjudgment.Itusedtogallmetohearhimspeakupsoboldlytomyfather,who,thouknowest,waseverapatientmantothoseabouthim,andslowtoangerandharshwords.