Page:Famous exploits of Robin Hood, Little John, and his merry men all.pdf/13

Rh along, and his head hung drooping upon his breast. Little John stepped towards him, to know who he was, but when the youth saw him coming, he bent his bow and said, 'stand off, thou bold forester; what wouldest thou have with me?' 'You must come before our master,' he replied, 'who is standing under the green Oaken tree; come without delay, and no harm shall befall thee.' And when he was come before Robin Hood, Robin said to him, 'Hast thou any money to spare for my merry men and me? come answer without fear.' 'Indeed! have no money to spare,' said the young man; 'I have but five shillings and a little gold ring, and this ring I have kept for these seven long years, to present to my bride on my bedding day. Yesterday I should have married the maid that I love, but she was chosen to be an old knight's wife, and taken from me by force: therefore my heart is nearly broken!

Robin Hood now set out, with fifty stout archers in his train, nor did they stop till they came near to the church where Allen should have been married. He then concealed his men, while he wept boldly into the church. 'What dost thou here, bold man?' said the bishop? 'I am a merry harper,' said Robin, 'as good as any in the north.' 'O welcome then,' said the bishop, 'for that music is my delight.' Presently