"While I was rich enow at home, and
had friends, they blew great boasts of how they loved me. But when the
oak falls in the forest the swine run from beneath it lest they should
be smitten down also. So my friends have left me; for not only am I
poor but I have great enemies."
Then Robin said, "Thou sayst thou hast no friends, Sir Richard. I make
no boast, but many have found Robin Hood a friend in their troubles.
Cheer up, Sir Knight, I may help thee yet."
The Knight shook his head with a faint smile, but for all that, Robin's
words made him more blithe of heart, for in truth hope, be it never so
faint, bringeth a gleam into darkness, like a little rushlight that
costeth but a groat.
The day was well-nigh gone when they came near to the greenwood tree.
Even at a distance they saw by the number of men that Little John had
come back with some guest, but when they came near enough, whom should
they find but the Lord Bishop of Hereford! The good Bishop was in a
fine stew, I wot. Up and down he walked beneath the tree like a fox
caught in a hencoop. Behind him were three Black Friars standing close
together in a frightened group, like three black sheep in a tempest.
Pages:
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278