Приключения Робин Гуда
Robin Hood Turns Butcher
Then,whilebeyondintheforestbrightfirescrackledandsavorysmellsofsweetlyroastingvenisonandfatcaponsfilledtheglade,andbrownpastieswarmedbesidetheblaze,didRobinHoodentertaintheSheriffrightroyally.First,severalcouplesstoodforthatquarterstaff,andsoshrewdweretheyatthegame,andsoquicklydidtheygivestrokeandparry,thattheSheriff,wholovedtowatchalllustysportsofthekind,clappedhishands,forgettingwherehewas,andcryingaloud,"Wellstruck!Wellstruck,thoufellowwiththeblackbeard!"littleknowingthatthemanhecalleduponwastheTinkerthattriedtoservehiswarrantuponRobinHood.
Thenseveralyeomencameforwardandspreadclothsuponthegreengrass,andplacedaroyalfeast;whileothersstillbroachedbarrelsofsackandMalmseyandgoodstoutale,andsettheminjarsuponthecloth,withdrinkinghornsaboutthem.Thenallsatdownandfeastedanddrankmerrilytogetheruntilthesunwaslowandthehalf-moonglimmeredwithapalelightbetwixttheleavesofthetreesoverhead.
ThentheSheriffaroseandsaid,"Ithankyouall,goodyeomen,forthemerryentertainmentyehavegivenmethisday.Rightcourteouslyhaveyeusedme,showingthereinthatyehavemuchrespectforourgloriousKingandhisdeputyinbraveNottinghamshire.Buttheshadowsgrowlong,andImustawaybeforedarknesscomes,lestIlosemyselfwithintheforest.