Читать книгу Famous Legends Adapted for Children - Emeline G. Crommelin - Страница 12

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King Richard I had heard a great deal of Robin Hood’s deeds and pranks. He wished to see the bold outlaw and his merry men, who roved as they liked through the forest. So the king and his twelve lords dressed themselves as friars, and rode to the place where they thought they would find Robin and his men.

When Robin saw the company of friars draw near, he mistook the king for the abbot, as he was taller than the others. He seized his horse by the head, and cried:

“It is against such fellows as you that I make war.”

“We are messengers from the king,” said the king himself; “and he is waiting, at a short distance from here, to speak to you.”

“God save the king!” shouted Robin, “and all who wish him well.”

“You are a traitor,” cried King Richard, “for you do not wish him well yourself.”

“If you were not one of his messengers,” said Robin, “I should make you sorry for what you say. I am as true to the king as any of his subjects. I have never harmed any but those who live by taking from others that which does not belong to them. Come with me, for you are welcome—

“All hail the lordlings of high degree,

Who live not more happy though greater than we.

Our pastimes to see,

Under every green tree,

In all the gay woodland, right welcome ye be.”

(Macdonald.)

Richard Cœur de Lion.

King Richard and his men wondered what sort of cheer Robin intended to give them; but they did not wonder long. Robin led the king’s horse to his own tent, saying as he did so:

“I treat you this way because you come from the king. For his sake, no matter how much gold you may have with you, it is safe.”

Then he blew a loud blast on his horn, and lo! from all directions came Robin Hood’s men, all dressed in Lincoln green. There were a hundred and ten men, and every man bent the knee to Robin Hood.

The king was surprised to see them pay such respect to their master, and thought his courtiers might learn something from these woodland rovers. Then a fine dinner was prepared for the king and his lords, and they declared they had never dined better. Marian and Ellen were presented to the guests. When the feast was over, Robin and his archers entertained the company with such skilful archery as the king had never seen in any land before. He said to Robin, with whom he was greatly pleased:

“If I should get a pardon from King Richard, would you serve him well in all things?”

“With all my heart,” answered Robin; and so said all his men with one accord.

Then, to the surprise of all the forest rovers and their bold leader, the king cried:

“It is King Richard who stands before you!”

At these words, Robin Hood and all his band fell on their knees before him.

But King Richard bade them rise, and told them he would give them the pardon he had promised, and that they should enter his service. He would make them his body-guard, and they should remain in the castle with him as long as they desired.

When King Richard left the forest, Robin Hood rode by his side, and Marian and Ellen were in the gay procession. Never was there a grander display than when the king and his followers entered the city. They were welcomed by shouts and cheers from the crowd, rich and poor, young and old. When the people saw Robin Hood riding by the king’s side, they cheered him also loudly.

And they are gone to London court,

Robin Hood and all his train;

He once was there a noble peer,

And now he’s there again.