Page 104 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

I saw this herd.’
Then the Sheriff descended from his horse and bade them
wait for him until he should return; and Little John led him
forward through a close copse until suddenly they came to
a great open glade, at the end of which Robin Hood sat be-
neath the shade of the great oak tree, with his merry men
all about him. ‘See, good Master Sheriff,’ quoth Little John,
‘yonder is the hart of which I spake to thee.’
At this the Sheriff turned to Little John and said bitterly,
‘Long ago I thought I remembered thy face, but now I know
thee. Woe betide thee, Little John, for thou hast betrayed
me this day.’
In the meantime Robin Hood had come to them. ‘Now
welcome, Master Sheriff,’ said he. ‘Hast thou come today to
take another feast with me?’
‘Nay, Heaven forbid!’ said the Sheriff in tones of deep ear-
nest. ‘I care for no feast and have no hunger today.’
‘Nevertheless,’ quoth Robin, ‘if thou hast no hunger,
maybe thou hast thirst, and well I know thou wilt take a
cup of sack with me. But I am grieved that thou wilt not
feast with me, for thou couldst have victuals to thy liking,
for there stands thy Cook.’
Then he led the Sheriff, willy-nilly, to the seat he knew so
well beneath the greenwood tree.
‘Ho, lads!’ cried Robin, ‘fill our good friend the Sheriff
a right brimming cup of sack and fetch it hither, for he is
faint and weary.’
Then one of the band brought the Sheriff a cup of sack,
bowing low as he handed it to him; but the Sheriff could not

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