Page:Famous exploits of Robin Hood, Little John, and his merry men all.pdf/3



KIND gentlemen, listen a while to my story, and I will tell you the bold exploits of the famous Robin Hood, and his comrade Little John.

All England was filled with the renown of Robin Hood, and the great and the valiant stood in fear of him. He never harmed the poor, for he pitied their fate, and only spoiled the wealthy and proud, or nobles and slothful bishops, who lived in state on the fruit of the husbandman's toil. Robin was born in the merry town of Locksley, in Nottinghamshire. His father was a stout forester, and kept the deer of king Richard the first; his mother was niece to the celebrated Sir Guy, of Warwick, and was sister to Squire Gamewell, of great Gamewell Hall.

One day (when Robin was about fourteen years old) his mother thus spoke to her spouse: 'My dear husband, to-morrow is Christmas-day, therefore let Robin and I take a ride to Gamewell Hall this morning to see my brother, and taste his good ale and pudding. The squire was overjoyed to see his sister, and young Robin learned the use of the bow, and became the marksman in the place.

Robin Hood was now about fifteen years old; in person tall and stout, and of a good