OUR SECOND MEETING.
On the next evening, when I took my seat beneath the sycamore, I found that it was surrounded by no less than six of my school-fellows; so popular had been the legends of Robin Hood with my hearers of the previous day. I was mightily pleased at this, and with renewed confidence began the following tale:—
“Shortly after the accession of Will Scarlet to his company, Robin Hood was one morning roaming through the forest, when he beheld a young man, very elegantly dressed in crimson silk, skipping merrily over the green plain, singing a roundelay; his face was lighted up with gladness, and his heart seemed overflowing with joy.
“On the very next morning Robin Hood againencountered the same youth. All his finery was gone. He wore a russet suit, and his countenance was overspread with melancholy. He walked slowly, absorbed in meditation, and now and then broke out into exclamations of the keenest grief. The outlaw’s heart was moved. ‘What can have caused this sudden change,’ he said to himself: ‘perhaps I may relieve his sorrows;’ and emerging from the grove he stood before the young man’s path.
“‘What ailest thou my friend?’ he said to him; ‘but yesterday thou wert as gay as a lark, and to-day as thou wert at a funeral.’
“‘Why dost thou ask?’ said the youth: ‘thou canst not help me in my distress.’
“‘I have a hundred as good yeomen as ever drew bow in the green-wood,’ replied the outlaw, ‘that will do my bidding as I list.’
“‘Lend me thine aid,’ cried the young man eagerly, ‘and I’ll be thy true servant for ever. My name is Allen-a-Dale. But yesterday I was to have wedded the fairest maiden upon whom the sun ever shone. To-day she is taken from me, and will be forced to marry a rich old knight whom she detests.’
“‘Where is the wedding to take place,’ inquired Robin Hood.
“‘At the little church in the vale ’twixt here and Nottingham,’ replied the lover; ‘’tis not five miles distant.’
“‘We will try what’s to be done,’ rejoined Robin. ‘Come with me, and by my faith it shall go hard but thou gettest thy fair maiden yet;’ and taking the now hopeful youth by the hand, the outlaw led him away.
“Great preparations were made for the approaching wedding in the village church that Allen-a-Dale had mentioned. The lord bishop of the diocese was there, dressed in his gorgeous robes; and the cottagers, decked out in their holiday costume, were waiting anxiously to witness so grand a marriage. An old man with a long flowing beard likewise demanded and received admission into the interior of the sacred edifice. He wore a sombre-coloured mantle that entirely covered him, and carried, slung by a belt across his shoulders, a harp, which, as he seated himself near the altar, he placed at his feet, ready to strike on the appearance of the bridal party. Presently the grave old knight entered the church, leading thebeautiful damsel by the hand. Young girls, dressed in white, scattered roses in their path as they advanced, and the harper sounded his noble instrument. The poor maiden seemed totally unconscious of all that passed. She walked slowly, with her head bent to the earth; and tears burst from her eyes, and coursed each other down her lovely cheeks: but the old knight was unmoved, and hurried her to the altar. The bishop opened his book and began the ceremony.
“‘I forbid this match,’ exclaimed a voice that seemed to proceed from where the harper sat.
“The reverend father, surprised at so unusual an interruption, stopped, and looked around:—‘Stand forth, whoever thou art, and state thy reasons,’ said he, after a long pause.
“‘This old knight is not the damsel’s free choice,’ cried the old man, rising from his seat, ‘and I forbid the marriage.’ At the same moment pulling away his false beard, and casting aside his cloak,Robin Hooddrew a bugle-horn from his baldric, and stunned the ears of bishop, knight, and maiden, with the loudness of his blast. At the summons four andtwenty yeomen darted out of a grove that was close at hand, bounded like wild deer over the plain, and quickly entered the church. The first man among them was Allen-a-Dale. He ran to Robin Hood, and gave him his trusty bow; then, rushing to the altar, he hurled the old knight aside, and clasping the lovely maiden in his arms, bore her to the outlaw.
“‘Now, my good lord bishop,’ said Robin Hood, ‘thou may’st marry this fair lady to her own true love.’
“‘That cannot be,’ returned the bishop, closing his book with a loud clap; ‘the law requireth that the banns be published three times in the church.’
“‘We will soon remedy that,’ cried Little John, stepping forward from among the bowmen. ‘Lend me thy gown awhile, good master bishop, and I will do that office;’ and as he spake, he entered the enclosed space by the altar, and stood by the side of the reverend father, who, with a very ill will, suffered his robe to be taken from his person.
“The foresters and villagers, one and all, could not restrain their mirth when the tall yeoman put the garment upon himself, and took up the bishop’s volume. For fear that thrice might not be enough, he publishedthe banns seven times, while Allen-a-Dale and his betrothed took their places at the altar steps.
“‘Who gives away this maid?’ asked Little John when he had finished that part of his duty.
“‘That do I,’ answered Robin Hood, who stood at the damsel’s side. ‘Where’s the man who dares dispute my gift?’ and clapping the bridegroom upon his shoulders—‘Cheer ye, my gallant friend,’ he cried; ‘by my troth thou hast boldly won the fairest maiden in Christendom.’
“Neither the old knight nor the bishop interposed, but while Little John proceeded with the ceremony they both left the church. As soon as all was concluded, the young girls again strewed flowers in the path of the now joyous bride, the bells struck up a merry peal, and the villagers and foresters, rushing out of the church, greeted the happy pair with loud shouts of joy. Robin Hood and his men escorted them home, and having drunk to the welfare and happiness of young Allen-a-Dale and his fair lady, they again returned to their green-wood shades.
“There were many days in which the outlaws of Sherwood scarcely knew how to pass away their time. They often grew tired of their easy and careless life, and longed for an adventure where more active exertions would be required. Robin Hood, especially, could ill brook the monotony of a forester’s life. He was ever bent upon some enterprise, either by himself alone, or with the assistance of his followers; and rarely a week passed but that the bold captain threw a good store of gold into his treasury. One day he disguised himself in the dress of a friar. A long dark-coloured gown completely covered his green doublet, and a large cowl over his head nearly concealed his features. His waist was girt round with a white woollen rope, from which were suspended a string of beads and an ivory crucifix. Thus attired, with a staff in his hand, he took the high road, and trudged on merrily. The first persons he met were, an honest husbandman, clad in tattered garments, carrying a chubby boy in his arms, and his wife, with an infant, following mournfully in his steps. Robin Hood stoppedthem, inquired the cause of their grief, and learned that their cottage had been burned down by a party of marauders, and that they were then on their way to Nottingham, where the poor man hoped to obtain employment.
“The seeming priest, moved with compassion at their forlorn state, drew forth a broad piece of gold and gave it to the wanderers, who ever after blessed the day they met the generous friar.
“Robin Hood walked on nearly a mile farther without meeting a single traveller, when at last he espied two monks in black gowns coming towards him, riding upon mules.
“‘Benedicite,’ said Robin Hood meekly, as they drew near him; ‘I pray ye, holy brethren, have pity upon a poor wandering friar, who has neither broken bread nor drank of the cup this day.’
“‘We are grieved, good brother,’ replied one of the monks, ‘we have not so much as a penny. Robbers met us on the way, who have stripped us of all our gold.’
“‘I fear thou tellest not the truth,’ returned the friar. ‘Wherefore did they leave ye those beasts?’
“‘Now by’r lady,’ cried the second monk, ‘thou art an insolent fellow,’ and pushing on their mules he and his companion galloped off. The outlaw laughed at their precipitate decampment, then starting off at his best speed, he soon overtook them. ‘Brethren,’ he cried, as one after the other he pulled them from their saddles, ‘since we have no money, let us pray to our dear lady to send us some;’ and falling on his knees he made the monks kneel down beside him. The old ballad says
“‘The priests did pray, with mournful cheer,Sometimes their hands did wring,Sometimes they wept and cried aloud,Whilst Robin did merrily sing.’
“‘The priests did pray, with mournful cheer,Sometimes their hands did wring,Sometimes they wept and cried aloud,Whilst Robin did merrily sing.’
“‘The priests did pray, with mournful cheer,Sometimes their hands did wring,Sometimes they wept and cried aloud,Whilst Robin did merrily sing.’
“‘The priests did pray, with mournful cheer,
Sometimes their hands did wring,
Sometimes they wept and cried aloud,
Whilst Robin did merrily sing.’
“After some time thus spent, the outlaw rose. ‘Now, my brethren,’ quoth he, ‘let us see what money has been sent us—we will all share alike;’ and putting his hand in his pocket he pulled forth twenty pieces of gold, and laid them on the grass. The monks fumbled a long time amid their garments, but could find nothing.
“‘Let me search,’ cried the friar; ‘perchance ye have not hit upon the right pocket.’ The monksreluctantly consented, and presently the outlaw drew forth two purses, and counted out five hundred golden crowns.
“‘Here is a brave show,’ said Robin Hood,‘Such store of gold to see;And ye shall each of ye have a part’Cause you prayed so heartily.’
“‘Here is a brave show,’ said Robin Hood,‘Such store of gold to see;And ye shall each of ye have a part’Cause you prayed so heartily.’
“‘Here is a brave show,’ said Robin Hood,‘Such store of gold to see;And ye shall each of ye have a part’Cause you prayed so heartily.’
“‘Here is a brave show,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Such store of gold to see;
And ye shall each of ye have a part
’Cause you prayed so heartily.’
“He then gave them back each fifty pieces, which the monks eagerly seized, and running to the side of their mules they were about to ride off. ‘Stay,’ cried the outlaw; ‘two things ye must swear: first—that ye will never tell lies again; and secondly—that ye will be charitable to the poor.’ The priests fell on their knees and gave the required promise to Robin Hood, and then
“‘He set them on their beasts again,And away then they did ride;And he returned to the merry green-woodWith great joy, mirth, and pride.’”
“‘He set them on their beasts again,And away then they did ride;And he returned to the merry green-woodWith great joy, mirth, and pride.’”
“‘He set them on their beasts again,And away then they did ride;And he returned to the merry green-woodWith great joy, mirth, and pride.’”
“‘He set them on their beasts again,
And away then they did ride;
And he returned to the merry green-wood
With great joy, mirth, and pride.’”
“Can you remember the whole of any ballad?” asked one of my hearers. “If you could I should like very much to hear it.”
“And so should I.”—“And I.”—“And I.”—cried two or three other voices.
“I fear there will be some parts that you will scarcely understand,” I replied; “but as you wish it, you shall hear of
“When Phœbus had melted the ‘sickles’ of ice,And likewise the mountains of snow,Bold Robin Hood he would ramble away,To frolic abroad with his bow.“He left all his merry men waiting behind,Whilst through the green valleys he pass’d,Where he did behold a forester bold,Who cry’d out, ‘Friend, whither so fast?’“I am going,’ quoth Robin, ‘to kill a fat buck,For me and my merry men all;Besides, ere I go, I’ll have a fat doe,Or else it shall cost me a fall.’“‘You’d best have a care,’ said the forester then,‘For these are his majesty’s deer;Before you shall shoot, the thing I’ll dispute,For I am head forester here.’“‘These thirteen long summers,’ quoth Robin, ‘I’m sure,My arrows I here have let fly;Where freely I range, methinks it is strangeYou should have more power than I.“‘This forest,’ quoth Robin, ‘I think is my own,And so are the nimble deer too;Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear,I’ll not be affronted by you.’“The forester he had a long quarter staff,Likewise a broadsword by his side;Without more ado, he presently drew,Declaring the truth should be tried.“Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,Thus, ere he could take any wrong,His courage was flush, he’d venture a brush,And thus they fell to it ding dong.“The very first blow that the forester gave,He made his broad weapon cry twang;’Twas over the head, he fell down for dead,O that was a terrible bang!“But Robin he soon recovered himself,And bravely fell to it again;The very next stroke their weapons they broke,Yet never a man there was slain.“At quarter staff then they resolved to play,Because they would have the other bout;And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood;Unwilling he was to give out.“Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows,The other return’d them as fast;At every stroke their jackets did smoke;Three hours the combat did last.“At length in a rage the forester grew,And cudgel’d bold Robin so soreThat he could not stand, so shaking his hand,He cry’d, ‘Let us freely give o’er.“‘Thou art a brave fellow, I needs must confessI never knew any so good;Thou art fitting to be a yeoman for me,And range in the merry green-wood.’“Robin Hood set his bugle horn to his mouth,A blast then he merrily blows;His yeomen did hear, and straight did appearA hundred with trusty long bows.“Now Little John came at the head of them all,Cloth’d in a rich mantle of green;And likewise the rest were gloriously drest,A delicate sight to be seen!“‘Lo! these are my yeomen,’ said bold Robin Hood,‘And thou shalt be one of the train,A mantle and bow, and quiver also,I give them whom I entertain.’“The forester willingly entered the list,They were such a beautiful sight;Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe,And made a rich supper that night,“What singing and dancing was in the green-wood,For joy of another new mate!With might and delight they spent all the night,And liv’d at a plentiful rate.“Quoth he, ‘My brave yeomen, be true to your trust,And then we may range the woods wide.’They all did declare, and solemnly swear,They would conquer, or die by his side.”
“When Phœbus had melted the ‘sickles’ of ice,And likewise the mountains of snow,Bold Robin Hood he would ramble away,To frolic abroad with his bow.“He left all his merry men waiting behind,Whilst through the green valleys he pass’d,Where he did behold a forester bold,Who cry’d out, ‘Friend, whither so fast?’“I am going,’ quoth Robin, ‘to kill a fat buck,For me and my merry men all;Besides, ere I go, I’ll have a fat doe,Or else it shall cost me a fall.’“‘You’d best have a care,’ said the forester then,‘For these are his majesty’s deer;Before you shall shoot, the thing I’ll dispute,For I am head forester here.’“‘These thirteen long summers,’ quoth Robin, ‘I’m sure,My arrows I here have let fly;Where freely I range, methinks it is strangeYou should have more power than I.“‘This forest,’ quoth Robin, ‘I think is my own,And so are the nimble deer too;Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear,I’ll not be affronted by you.’“The forester he had a long quarter staff,Likewise a broadsword by his side;Without more ado, he presently drew,Declaring the truth should be tried.“Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,Thus, ere he could take any wrong,His courage was flush, he’d venture a brush,And thus they fell to it ding dong.“The very first blow that the forester gave,He made his broad weapon cry twang;’Twas over the head, he fell down for dead,O that was a terrible bang!“But Robin he soon recovered himself,And bravely fell to it again;The very next stroke their weapons they broke,Yet never a man there was slain.“At quarter staff then they resolved to play,Because they would have the other bout;And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood;Unwilling he was to give out.“Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows,The other return’d them as fast;At every stroke their jackets did smoke;Three hours the combat did last.“At length in a rage the forester grew,And cudgel’d bold Robin so soreThat he could not stand, so shaking his hand,He cry’d, ‘Let us freely give o’er.“‘Thou art a brave fellow, I needs must confessI never knew any so good;Thou art fitting to be a yeoman for me,And range in the merry green-wood.’“Robin Hood set his bugle horn to his mouth,A blast then he merrily blows;His yeomen did hear, and straight did appearA hundred with trusty long bows.“Now Little John came at the head of them all,Cloth’d in a rich mantle of green;And likewise the rest were gloriously drest,A delicate sight to be seen!“‘Lo! these are my yeomen,’ said bold Robin Hood,‘And thou shalt be one of the train,A mantle and bow, and quiver also,I give them whom I entertain.’“The forester willingly entered the list,They were such a beautiful sight;Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe,And made a rich supper that night,“What singing and dancing was in the green-wood,For joy of another new mate!With might and delight they spent all the night,And liv’d at a plentiful rate.“Quoth he, ‘My brave yeomen, be true to your trust,And then we may range the woods wide.’They all did declare, and solemnly swear,They would conquer, or die by his side.”
“When Phœbus had melted the ‘sickles’ of ice,And likewise the mountains of snow,Bold Robin Hood he would ramble away,To frolic abroad with his bow.
“When Phœbus had melted the ‘sickles’ of ice,
And likewise the mountains of snow,
Bold Robin Hood he would ramble away,
To frolic abroad with his bow.
“He left all his merry men waiting behind,Whilst through the green valleys he pass’d,Where he did behold a forester bold,Who cry’d out, ‘Friend, whither so fast?’
“He left all his merry men waiting behind,
Whilst through the green valleys he pass’d,
Where he did behold a forester bold,
Who cry’d out, ‘Friend, whither so fast?’
“I am going,’ quoth Robin, ‘to kill a fat buck,For me and my merry men all;Besides, ere I go, I’ll have a fat doe,Or else it shall cost me a fall.’
“I am going,’ quoth Robin, ‘to kill a fat buck,
For me and my merry men all;
Besides, ere I go, I’ll have a fat doe,
Or else it shall cost me a fall.’
“‘You’d best have a care,’ said the forester then,‘For these are his majesty’s deer;Before you shall shoot, the thing I’ll dispute,For I am head forester here.’
“‘You’d best have a care,’ said the forester then,
‘For these are his majesty’s deer;
Before you shall shoot, the thing I’ll dispute,
For I am head forester here.’
“‘These thirteen long summers,’ quoth Robin, ‘I’m sure,My arrows I here have let fly;Where freely I range, methinks it is strangeYou should have more power than I.
“‘These thirteen long summers,’ quoth Robin, ‘I’m sure,
My arrows I here have let fly;
Where freely I range, methinks it is strange
You should have more power than I.
“‘This forest,’ quoth Robin, ‘I think is my own,And so are the nimble deer too;Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear,I’ll not be affronted by you.’
“‘This forest,’ quoth Robin, ‘I think is my own,
And so are the nimble deer too;
Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear,
I’ll not be affronted by you.’
“The forester he had a long quarter staff,Likewise a broadsword by his side;Without more ado, he presently drew,Declaring the truth should be tried.
“The forester he had a long quarter staff,
Likewise a broadsword by his side;
Without more ado, he presently drew,
Declaring the truth should be tried.
“Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,Thus, ere he could take any wrong,His courage was flush, he’d venture a brush,And thus they fell to it ding dong.
“Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,
Thus, ere he could take any wrong,
His courage was flush, he’d venture a brush,
And thus they fell to it ding dong.
“The very first blow that the forester gave,He made his broad weapon cry twang;’Twas over the head, he fell down for dead,O that was a terrible bang!
“The very first blow that the forester gave,
He made his broad weapon cry twang;
’Twas over the head, he fell down for dead,
O that was a terrible bang!
“But Robin he soon recovered himself,And bravely fell to it again;The very next stroke their weapons they broke,Yet never a man there was slain.
“But Robin he soon recovered himself,
And bravely fell to it again;
The very next stroke their weapons they broke,
Yet never a man there was slain.
“At quarter staff then they resolved to play,Because they would have the other bout;And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood;Unwilling he was to give out.
“At quarter staff then they resolved to play,
Because they would have the other bout;
And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood;
Unwilling he was to give out.
“Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows,The other return’d them as fast;At every stroke their jackets did smoke;Three hours the combat did last.
“Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows,
The other return’d them as fast;
At every stroke their jackets did smoke;
Three hours the combat did last.
“At length in a rage the forester grew,And cudgel’d bold Robin so soreThat he could not stand, so shaking his hand,He cry’d, ‘Let us freely give o’er.
“At length in a rage the forester grew,
And cudgel’d bold Robin so sore
That he could not stand, so shaking his hand,
He cry’d, ‘Let us freely give o’er.
“‘Thou art a brave fellow, I needs must confessI never knew any so good;Thou art fitting to be a yeoman for me,And range in the merry green-wood.’
“‘Thou art a brave fellow, I needs must confess
I never knew any so good;
Thou art fitting to be a yeoman for me,
And range in the merry green-wood.’
“Robin Hood set his bugle horn to his mouth,A blast then he merrily blows;His yeomen did hear, and straight did appearA hundred with trusty long bows.
“Robin Hood set his bugle horn to his mouth,
A blast then he merrily blows;
His yeomen did hear, and straight did appear
A hundred with trusty long bows.
“Now Little John came at the head of them all,Cloth’d in a rich mantle of green;And likewise the rest were gloriously drest,A delicate sight to be seen!
“Now Little John came at the head of them all,
Cloth’d in a rich mantle of green;
And likewise the rest were gloriously drest,
A delicate sight to be seen!
“‘Lo! these are my yeomen,’ said bold Robin Hood,‘And thou shalt be one of the train,A mantle and bow, and quiver also,I give them whom I entertain.’
“‘Lo! these are my yeomen,’ said bold Robin Hood,
‘And thou shalt be one of the train,
A mantle and bow, and quiver also,
I give them whom I entertain.’
“The forester willingly entered the list,They were such a beautiful sight;Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe,And made a rich supper that night,
“The forester willingly entered the list,
They were such a beautiful sight;
Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe,
And made a rich supper that night,
“What singing and dancing was in the green-wood,For joy of another new mate!With might and delight they spent all the night,And liv’d at a plentiful rate.
“What singing and dancing was in the green-wood,
For joy of another new mate!
With might and delight they spent all the night,
And liv’d at a plentiful rate.
“Quoth he, ‘My brave yeomen, be true to your trust,And then we may range the woods wide.’They all did declare, and solemnly swear,They would conquer, or die by his side.”
“Quoth he, ‘My brave yeomen, be true to your trust,
And then we may range the woods wide.’
They all did declare, and solemnly swear,
They would conquer, or die by his side.”
This ballad was highly approved of; and when, as usual, a few remarks had been made upon the valour of the champions, I resumed my tales, and told of
“How delightful are the woods upon a summer’s morn. The bright foliage of the trees now shines in its deepest verdure; the lawns and glades are clothed with luxuriant grass and sweet wild flowers, upon which the dew-drops glisten in the rising sun. The merry birds sitting upon the tender branches pourforth their morning lays; and yon lark, now soaring high towards the blue expanse of heaven, makes hill and dale re-echo with her melodious carol;—all telling of the goodness of their Creator, and praising him for his wondrous works. Thus thought Robin Hood as, on a bright morning in the pleasant month of June, he wandered amid the trees of Barnesdale. He had been awakened earlier than usual from his slumbers by the loud and incessant singing of a golden thrush: he arose, and rambled forth, enjoying the freshness of the morning breeze, and the sweet music that was borne upon it. Many a hart darted across his path, and many a young fawn skipped playfully at his side, and then bounded into the recesses of the forest. At another time the outlaw’s keen arrow would have followed them, but now he smiled at their merry gambols, and charmed with the loveliness of the scene, he rested upon his bow, and contemplated with heart-felt pleasure the tranquil beauty of the morn. He continued thus, absorbed in meditation, when suddenly a distant sound broke upon the stillness of the air.
“The outlaw listened for a moment. ‘’Tis the tramp of horses,’ he whispered to himself; and steppingto a tree, quick as thought he climbed amid its branches. Thence he could plainly distinguish the glitter of spear-heads and bright helmets, and scarce had he secured himself from observation, when several horsemen, followed by a troop of soldiers, passed within a few yards of his hiding-place. In the leader, Robin Hood at once recognised his old friend, the sheriff of Nottingham, who he had no doubt was now come with his men to seek for the traitorous butcher of Sherwood.
“It was not till some time after this little band had gone by that the outlaw ventured to descend the tree; and then, striking into a narrow path, he endeavoured to retrace his steps to the spot where his men were dwelling. On his way he was obliged to cross the high road, where a stranger arrested his steps.
“‘Hast thou seen the sheriff of Nottingham in the forest?’ he inquired.
“‘Aye, my good fellow, and with a fine band at his tail,’ replied Robin Hood. ‘Art thou seeking him?’
“‘Not him,’ returned the stranger, who was a bold yeoman, dressed in a coat of the untanned skin of some wild beast, and who carried a bow in his hand,and a sword and dagger at his side. ‘I seek not the sheriff, but him whom he seeks.’
“‘And who may that be?’ said the forester, at the same time forming a pretty shrewd guess.
“‘A man they call Robin Hood,’ answered the stranger. ‘If thou canst show me where he is, this purse shall be thine;’ and taking a well-filled leathern bag from his girdle, he rattled the contents together.
“‘Come with me, my friend, and thou shalt soon see Robin Hood,’ returned the outlaw. ‘But thou hast a brave bow; wilt thou not try thy skill with me in archery?’ The stranger at once consented. Robin Hood with his dagger cut down the branch of a tree, and fixing it in the earth, suspended upon the top a little garland, which he entwined with the long grass. The archers took their station at the distance of three hundred yards, and the stranger drew the first bow. His arrow flew past the mark far too high. The outlaw next bent his weapon, and shot within an inch or two of the stick. Again the yeoman essayed; and this time his shaft flew straight and passed through the garland; but Robin Hood stepped up boldly, anddrawing his arrow to the very head, shot it with such vehemence that it clave the branch into two pieces, and still flew onwards for some yards.
“‘Give me thy hand,’ cried the stranger,—‘thou’rt the bravest bowman I’ve seen for many a day, an thy heart be as true as thy aim, thou art a better man than Robin Hood. What name bearest thou?’
“‘Nay—first tell me thine,’ replied Robin, ‘and then by my faith I will answer thee.’
“‘They call me Guy of Gisborne,’ rejoined the yeoman. ‘I’m one of the king’s rangers; and am sworn to take that outlawed traitor, Robin Hood.’
“‘He’s no traitor, sirrah,’ returned the forester angrily; ‘and cares as much for thee as for the beast whose skin thou wearest. I am that outlaw whom thou seek’st,—I am Robin Hood:’ and in a moment his drawn sword was in his hand.
“‘That’s for thee then,’ cried the yeoman, striking fiercely. ‘Five hundred pounds are set upon thine head, and if I get it not I’ll lose mine own.’
ROBIN HOOD & GUY OF GISBORNEJ. Gilbert
ROBIN HOOD & GUY OF GISBORNE
J. Gilbert
“Robin Hood intercepted the intended blow, and fought skillfully with his fiery and more athletic antagonist, who poured down an incessant shower of strokesupon him. Once the bold outlaw fell; but recovering himself sufficiently to place a foot upon the earth, he thrust his sword at the ranger, and as he drew back to avoid it, Robin Hood sprung up, and with one sudden back-handed stroke slew poor Guy of Gisborne upon the spot. He immediately stripped off the hide from the dead man, upon whom he put his own green mantle; and then taking his unfortunate opponent’s bow and arrows and bugle-horn, he drew him into a thicket, and darted off swiftly to assist his men.
“In the mean while the sheriff of Nottingham and his attendants had pushed their way through the woods to Barnesdale, where they had been informed the outlaw was lying.
“The bold foresters, ever on the alert, heard the unusual sound of the tramp of armed men, and with their bugles gave notice to each other of the danger. Little John had been in pursuit of a fat doe, which he was bringing home upon his shoulders, when the warning sounded upon his ears. Concealing his booty among the underwood, he bounded through the forest to the scene of danger, where he found that Will Stutely and many of his comrades were urging theirutmost speed to escape from some of the sheriff’s men, and two bold foresters lying dead upon the grass. Little John’s wrath was kindled. Forgetful of the imprudence of the action, he drew his bow, and let fly an arrow at the cause of this mischief, but the treacherous weapon brake in his hand, and the shaft flew wide of the sheriff, but striking one of his followers stretched him lifeless upon the turf.
“Left almost defenceless by the loss of his bow, Little John could make but a poor resistance to the crowd of men who instantly surrounded him. By the sheriff’s order he was bound hand and foot, and tied to a young oak, receiving at the same time a promise that so soon as more of his comrades were taken he should with them be hanged on the highest tree in Barnesdale. Just then a loud blast from a bugle rang through the wood.
“‘Here comes good Guy of Gisborne,’ quoth the sheriff; ‘and by his blast I know that he hath slain that bold knave, Robin Hood. Come hither, good Guy,’ he continued as the outlaw appeared, effectually concealed in the yeoman’s clothing. ‘What reward wilt thou have of me?’
“‘I must finish my work first, good master sheriff,’ replied the disguised hero. ‘I’ve slain the master, and now I must kill the knave; but ’twere cruel ere he has confessed his sins.’
“‘Thou’rt a pretty fellow truly to turn father-confessor,’ replied the sheriff; ‘but go, do as thou list, only be quick about it.’
“The outlaw stepped to the side of Little John,—who had easily recognised his beloved master’s voice,—and pretended to listen attentively to what the poor captive might be saying, but drawing his dagger, he gently cut the cords that bound his comrade, and gave him the bow and arrow that he had taken from Guy of Gisborne.
“Robin Hood then placed his own bugle to his lips and sounded a peculiarly shrill blast, that rung in the sheriff’s ears as a death knell, so well did he remember the sound. The two outlaws were quickly supported by a band of sixty foresters, who had collected together, and all drew their bows at once against the intruders. A dense flight of arrows fell upon them. Those who were not too badly wounded immediately set spurs to their horses, or took to their heels in the most abruptconfusion. One poor forester, Will Stutely, they bore off with them. Robin Hood and his men pursued, and it was not till they had got half way on their road back to Nottingham that the defeated sheriff and his attendants drew rein.
“Robin Hood was sorely grieved when he learned that his bold follower had been carried off. Calling his men together, he made them swear that they would rescue their brave comrade, or die in the attempt. Will Scarlet was despatched at once to learn to what place he was taken; and hastening with all speed to Nottingham, he found that the news of the terrible affray, and the sheriff’s precipitate flight, had already caused a great sensation among the gossips of the town. From them he easily ascertained that the captive outlaw was imprisoned in the castle, and that he was to be hanged on the following morning at sun-rise. Scarlet flew back with this intelligence to Robin Hood, who communicated it to his men, and all again swore to bring Will Stutely safely back to Barnesdale, or fearfully avenge his death.
“Early on the morning after his capture, the unfortunate prisoner, tightly bound and guarded on every side, was led from his cell towards the gallows that had been erected on the plain in front of the castle. He cast his eyes anxiously around, in the hope that succour might be at hand, but he could perceive no signs of the presence of his comrades. Turning to the sheriff, who attended in person at the execution of so notorious an outlaw,
“‘Grant me one boon, I pray thee,’ cried he; ‘never has one of Robin Hood’s men died like a thief; let me not be the first. Give me my good sword in my hand, and do ye all set upon me. I shall then die as a brave man should.’
“‘I’ve sworn to hang thee on the highest gallows in Nottingham,’ replied the sheriff; ‘and when I catch that still greater villain, Robin Hood, he shall dance by thy side.’
“‘Thou’rt a dastard coward!’ cried Stutely in a rage, ‘a faint-hearted peasant slave! By’r lady, if e’er thou meet’st bold Robin Hood, thou’lt have payment for the deed thou’rt doing. He scorns and despises thee, and all thy cowardly crew, who will as soon takeKing Henry prisoner as brave Robin Hood;’ and the forester laughed loudly in defiance.
“At the sheriff’s command the executioner seized him by the arms, and hurried him to the fatal tree; he was just about to affix the rope, when a tall yeoman leaped out of an adjacent bush, and with a stroke of his sword felled the officer to the earth.
“‘I’m come to take leave of thee, Will, before thou diest,’ cried the intruder; ‘and, good master sheriff, thou must spare him to me awhile.’”
“‘As I live,’ cried the sheriff, to his attendants, ‘yon varlet’s a rebel too, and one of Robin Hood’s men,—seize him—five pounds for his head, dead or alive.’ But, in a moment, Little John, for he it was, cut the bonds that secured his comrade, and snatching a sword from one of the soldiers, gave it him, shouting, ‘Fight, Will, defend thyself, man—Help is near.—To the rescue—To the rescue.’—And turning back to back, the two outlaws gallantly parried the attacks of their assailants.
“‘To the rescue! To the rescue!’ echoed a host of voices from a neighbouring wood; and Robin Hood, with seven-score men, bounded across thegreen plain. A flight of arrows from their bows rattled upon the armour of the soldiers, and more than one stuck into the sheriff’s robe.
“‘Away, my men, away!’ cried he, flying to the castle for shelter. ‘’Tis Robin Hood himself;’ and the knowledge that the outlaw would especially choose him for a mark added wings to the speed of the valiant sheriff. His men—nothing loth to follow such an example, vied with each other in the race, so greatly to the amusement of the merry outlaws that they could not for laughter discharge an arrow in pursuit of them.
“‘I little thought, good master, to have seen thy face again,’ said Will Stutely; ‘and to thee, my bold comrade,’ he added, addressing Little John, ‘to thee I owe my best thanks. ’Twill be a long day ere Will Stutely forgets thy kindness.’
“‘May we ever thus support each other in danger,’ said Robin Hood, loud enough for the whole band to hear him. ‘But, my brave yeomen, we must away, or we shall have the whole nest of hornets about our ears;’ and, with many a laugh at the sudden flight of the sheriff, and the glorious rescue ofone of their favourite companions, the bold foresters plunged again into the woods and returned to Barnesdale, where they celebrated the joyful occasion with feasting and music, till the stars glittering through the topmost branches of the trees warned them that the hour of rest was at hand.
“For some long time after this last daring adventure, Robin Hood and his men were so hotly pressed by the sheriff that it was with difficulty that they eluded the pursuit. Now concealing themselves in the recesses of a cavern, now in the thickest coverts of the forest, they were obliged almost daily to change their abode, until at last, tired of the incessant chase, the sheriff disbanded his forces and returned to Nottingham.
“When the outlaws were well assured of this, they quickly came back to their old haunts in Barnesdale and Sherwood, and pursued their usual course of life. One evening Robin Hood was roving through the woods, when he espied a sturdy-looking beggar, clad in an old patched cloak, come jogging along. In his hand he carried a thick oaken staff, with whichhe assisted himself in walking, and round his neck a well-filled meal-bag was suspended by a broad leathern belt, while three steeple crowned hats placed within each other, sheltered his bald pate from the rain and snow.
“‘Stay, good friend,’ said Robin Hood to him as they met; ‘thou seem’st in haste to-night.’
“‘I’ve far to go yet,’ answered the beggar, still pushing onwards, ‘and should look foolish enough to get to my lodging house when all the supper’s done.’
“‘Ay! ay!’ returned Robin Hood, walking by his side. ‘So long as thou fillest thine own mouth, thou carest but little about mine. Lend me some money, my friend, till we meet again. I’ve not dined yet, and my credit at the tavern is but indifferent.’
“‘If thou fastest till I give thee money,’ replied the mendicant, ‘thou’lt eat nothing this year. Thou’rt a younger man than I am, and ought to work:’ and the old fellow pushed on still more briskly.
“‘Now, by my troth, thou’rt but a churl,’ cried the outlaw. ‘If thou hast but one farthing in thy pouch, ’tshall part company with thee before I go. Off with thy ragged cloak, and let’s see what treasuresit conceals, or I’ll make a window in it with my good broad arrows.’
“‘Dost think I care for wee bits of sticks like them?’ said the beggar, laughing; ‘they’re fit for nothing but skewers for a housewife’s pudding-bag.’ Robin Hood drew back a pace or two, and fitted an arrow to his bow-string, but before he could let it fly the beggar swung his staff round his head, and with one stroke splintered bow and arrow into twenty pieces. The outlaw drew his sword, and was about to repay this with interest, when a second blow from the old man’s stick lighted upon his wrist, and so great was the pain it caused that his blade fell involuntarily from his grasp. Poor Robin Hood was now completely in the beggar’s power;—
“‘He could not fight—he could not flee,—He wist not what to do;The beggar, with his noble tree,Laid lusty slaps him to.“‘He paid good Robin back and side,And baste him up and down;And with his pike-staff laid on loud,Till he fell in a swoon.’
“‘He could not fight—he could not flee,—He wist not what to do;The beggar, with his noble tree,Laid lusty slaps him to.“‘He paid good Robin back and side,And baste him up and down;And with his pike-staff laid on loud,Till he fell in a swoon.’
“‘He could not fight—he could not flee,—He wist not what to do;The beggar, with his noble tree,Laid lusty slaps him to.
“‘He could not fight—he could not flee,—
He wist not what to do;
The beggar, with his noble tree,
Laid lusty slaps him to.
“‘He paid good Robin back and side,And baste him up and down;And with his pike-staff laid on loud,Till he fell in a swoon.’
“‘He paid good Robin back and side,
And baste him up and down;
And with his pike-staff laid on loud,
Till he fell in a swoon.’
“‘Stand up, man,’ cried the beggar jeeringly, ‘’tis hardly bed-time yet. Count thy money, man—buy ale and wine with it, and give thy friends a jovial carouse. How they’ll laugh at the poor beggar.’
“Robin Hood answered not a word, but lay still as a stone; his cheeks pale as ashes, and his eyes closed. The beggar gave him a parting thwack, and thinking that he had killed the saucy highwayman, went boldly on his way.
“It fortunately happened that Will Scarlet and two of his comrades were soon after passing by, and seeing a man lying by the road-side, apparently dead, walked up to him. What was their consternation and grief when they beheld their loved chief weltering in his blood. Will Scarlet bended upon one knee, and raised his master’s head upon the other. One forester ran to a brook that flowed close by, and brought back his cap filled with water, which they sprinkled upon his face, and his companion drew from his pouch a little leathern bottle, the contents of which speedily revived the unfortunate outlaw.
“‘Tell us, dear master,’ exclaimed Will Scarlet, ‘who has done this?’
“Robin Hood sighed deeply. ‘I’ve roved in these woods for many years,’ he said, ‘but never have I been so hard beset as on this day. A beggar with an old patched cloak, for whom I would not have given a straw, has so hasted my back with his pike-staff that it will be many a day ere Robin Hood will lead his merry men again.—See! see!’ he added as he raised his head;—‘there goes the man, on yonder hill, with three hats upon his head. My friends,—if you love your master,—go and revenge this deed;—bring him back to me, and let me see with mine own eyes the punishment you’ll give him.’
“‘One of us shall remain with thee,’ replied Will; ‘thou’rt ill at ease. The other two will quickly bring back yon evil-minded miscreant.’
“‘Nay, nay,’ returned the discomfited outlaw; ‘by my troth ye will have enough to do if he once get scope for that villanous staff of his.—Go, all of ye,—seize him suddenly—bind him fast, and bring him here, that I may repay him for these hard blows that he has given me.’
“Will Scarlet and his two companions started off as fast as they could run, dashing onward throughmany a miry pool, and over many a tiring hill, until they arrived at a part of the road that wound through the forest by a way at least a mile and a half nearer than the beaten path that the beggar had taken. There was a dense copse of trees in the bottom of a valley through which a little brook gently streamed, and the road-way ran close to it. The foresters, well acquainted with every acre of the ground which they so often traversed, took advantage of this grove, and concealed themselves behind the well covered branches. In the mean while the old beggar rejoicing in the victory he had so lately obtained, walked sturdily on, as briskly as age and his weary limbs would allow him. He passed by the copse without the least suspicion of lurking danger, but had proceeded only a step or two farther when his staff was violently seized by one of the foresters, and a dagger was pointed to his breast, with threats of vengeance if he resisted.
“‘Oh! spare my life,’ cried the beggar, at once relinquishing his hold, ‘and take away that ugly knife. What have I done to deserve this? I am but a poor beggar, who has never wronged thee or thine.’
“‘Thou liest, false carle,’ replied Will, ‘thou hastwell nigh slain the noblest man that e’er trod the forest grass. Back shalt thou go to him, and before yon sun sinks down thy carcase shall be dangling from the highest tree in Barnesdale.’
“The beggar was sorely frightened at this terrible threat; he had lost his only weapon, and his aged limbs were but a poor match against three stout young men. He began to despair and to give himself up as lost, when a thought struck him. ‘Brave gentlemen,’ he said, ‘why take ye a poor man’s blood? ’Twill make ye none the richer. If ye will give me liberty, and promise to do me no more harm, I have a hundred golden pounds in this meal-bag, that shall be yours.’ The foresters whispered together and determined to get the money first, come afterwards what might.
“‘Give us thy money,’ said Will, ‘and we’ll let thee go thy way.’ The beggar unfastened the clasp of his belt, and taking it from his neck, spread the meal-bag upon the grass, while the young men anxious for the gold, bent over, eager to seize upon the expected prize. The old fellow pretended to search very diligently at the bottom of the bag, and pulled out a peck or two of meal, which he piled into a heap; then watchinghis opportunity, he filled both hands full, and threw it violently in the faces of the outlaws, who, blinded and astonished, began to rub their eyes most woefully. The beggar sprung up in a moment, seized his staff, and in a twinkling began to belabour their backs and shoulders.
“‘I have mealed your coats,’ he cried, ‘but I’ve a good pike-staff here that will soon beat them clean again;’ and before the youths could recover from their consternation the old man plied his staff so manfully that his arm ached from the exertion, and he was obliged to stay for rest.
“The young outlaws did not attempt to retaliate; indeed they could not see where to strike; but trusting to their swiftness, scampered away even more briskly than they had come; and the beggar laughing at the success of his wile, plunged into the woods, and made the best of his way from Barnesdale forest.
“When Will Scarlet and his comrades presented themselves before Robin Hood, the bold outlaw, ill as he was, could not refrain from bursting into laughter at their sheepish appearance. They hung down their heads, and still rubbed their eyes, while the meal ontheir coats made known the trick that had been played upon them.
“‘What have ye done with the bold beggar?’ inquired Robin Hood; ‘surely three of ye were a match for him.’ Will Scarlet replied; told him of their first success, and the old man’s promise of money; but when he came to the meal and the drubbing they had received, Robin Hood laughed till his bruised limbs ached. Although he would fain have revenged himself upon his opponent, yet the cleverness of the trick so pleased his fancy that he swore that if ever he met the sturdy beggar again, he would, by fair means or foul, make him join his band in merry Barnesdale.”
This tale was frequently interrupted with the loud laughter of my hearers, who all praised the dexterity of the old beggar-man.