Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood and Guy of Gisbourne
"Now,"quothRobin,"Iamrightgladtoheartheespeak,forIbegantofearthesightofmehadstrickentheedumb.Asformyname,itmaybethisoritmaybethat;butmethinksitismoremeetfortheetotellmethine,seeingthatthouartthegreaterstrangerintheseparts.Prythee,tellme,sweetchuck,whywearestthouthatdaintygarbuponthyprettybody?"Atthesewordstheotherbrokeintoashort,harshroaroflaughter."BythebonesoftheDaemonOdin,"saidhe,"thouarttheboldest-spokenmanthateverIhaveseeninallmylife.IknownotwhyIdonotsmitetheedownwherethousittest,foronlytwodaysagoIskeweredamanoverbackofNottinghamTownforsayingnothalfsomuchtomeasthouhastdone.Iwearthisgarb,thoufool,tokeepmybodywarm;likewiseitisnearasgoodasacoatofsteelagainstacommonsword-thrust.Asformyname,Icarenotwhoknowethit.ItisGuyofGisbourne,andthoumaysthavehearditbefore.IcomefromthewoodlandsoverinHerefordshire,uponthelandsoftheBishopofthatilk.Iamanoutlaw,andgetmylivingbyhookandbycrookinamanneritbootsnotnowtotellof.NotlongsincetheBishopsentforme,andsaidthatifIwoulddoacertainthingthattheSheriffofNottinghamwouldaskofme,hewouldgetmeafreepardon,andgivemetenscorepoundstoboot.SostraightwayIcametoNottinghamTownandfoundmysweetSheriff;andwhatthinkestthouhewantedofme?Why,forsooth,tocomeheretoSherwoodtohuntuponeRobinHood,alsoanoutlaw,andtotakehimaliveordead.