Приключения Робин Гуда
The Shooting Match at Nottingham Town
IwonderthatIdidnothavehimbeaten;buttherewassomethingabouthimthatspokeofotherthingsthanragsandtatters."
Then,evenashefinishedspeaking,somethingfellrattlingamongthedishesonthetable,whilethosethatsatnearstartedupwonderingwhatitmightbe.Afterawhileoneofthemen-at-armsgatheredcourageenoughtopickitupandbringittotheSheriff.Theneveryonesawthatitwasabluntedgraygooseshaft,withafinescroll,aboutthethicknessofagoosequill,tiedneartoitshead.TheSheriffopenedthescrollandglancedatit,whiletheveinsuponhisforeheadswelledandhischeeksgrewruddywithrageasheread,forthiswaswhathesaw:
"NowHeavenblessThyGracethisday
SayallinsweetSherwood
Forthoudidstgivetheprizeaway
TomerryRobinHood."
"Whencecamethis?"criedtheSheriffinamightyvoice."Eventhroughthewindow,YourWorship,"quoththemanwhohadhandedtheshafttohim.