Robin Hood and Allan a Dale

           ITHASjustbeentoldhowthreeunluckyadventuresfelluponRobinHoodandLittleJohnallinonedaybringingthemsoreribsandachingbones.SonextwewilltellhowtheymadeupforthoseillhappeningsbyagoodactionthatcameaboutnotwithoutsomesmallpaintoRobin.

           Twodayshadpassedby,andsomewhatofthesorenesshadpassedawayfromRobinHood’sjoints,yetstill,whenhemovedofasuddenandwithoutthinking,painhereandtherewould,asitwere,joghim,crying,"Thouhasthadadrubbing,goodfellow."

           Thedaywasbrightandjocund,andthemorningdewstilllayuponthegrass.UnderthegreenwoodtreesatRobinHood;ononesidewasWillScarlet,lyingatfulllengthuponhisback,gazingupintotheclearsky,withhandsclaspedbehindhishead;upontheothersidesatLittleJohn,fashioningacudgeloutofastoutcrab-treelimb;elsewhereuponthegrasssatorlaymanyothersoftheband.

           "Bythefaithofmyheart,"quothmerryRobin,"Idobethinkmethatwehavehadnoonetodinewithusforthislongtime.Ourmoneygrowethlowinthepurse,fornoonehathcometopayareckoningformanyaday.Nowbuskthee,goodStutely,andchoosetheesixmen,andgettheegonetoFosseWayorthereabouts,andseethatthoubringestsomeonetoeatwithusthisevening.Meantimewewillprepareagrandfeasttodowhosoevermaycomethegreaterhonor.Andstay,goodStutely.IwouldhavetheetakeWillScarletwiththee,foritismeetthatheshouldbecomeacquaintwiththewaysoftheforest.