Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood and Guy of Gisbourne
TheSheriffsatwithin,feastingmerrilyofthebesttheplaceafforded,andtheSheriff’smensatuponthebenchbeforethedoor,quaffingale,orlaybeneaththeshadeofthebroad-spreadingoaktrees,talkingandjestingandlaughing.Allaroundstoodthehorsesoftheband,withagreatnoiseofstampingfeetandagreatswitchingoftails.TothisinncametheKing’srangers,drivingthewidow’sthreesonsbeforethem.Thehandsofthethreeyouthsweretiedtightlybehindtheirbacks,andacordfromnecktoneckfastenedthemalltogether.SotheyweremarchedtotheroomwheretheSheriffsatatmeat,andstoodtremblingbeforehimashescowledsternlyuponthem.
"So,"quothhe,inagreat,loud,angryvoice,"yehavebeenpoachingupontheKing’sdeer,haveyou?NowIwillmakeshortworkofyouthisday,forIwillhangupallthreeofyouasafarmerwouldhangupthreecrowstoscareothersofthekindfromthefield.OurfaircountyofNottinghamhathbeentoolongabreedingplaceforsuchnaughtyknavesasyeare.Ihaveputupwiththesethingsformanyyears,butnowIwillstampthemoutonceforall,andwithyouIwillbegin."
Thenoneofthepoorfellowsopenedhismouthtospeak,buttheSheriffroaredathiminaloudvoicetobesilent,andbadetherangerstotakethemawaytillhehaddonehiseatingandcouldattendtothemattersconcerningthem.Sothethreepooryouthsweremarchedoutside,wheretheystoodwithbowedheadsanddespairinghearts,tillafterawhiletheSheriffcameforth.
