Page 122 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

my vow.’
The others looked and saw a young man walking slowly
down the highway. Gay was he, indeed, as Robin had said,
and a fine figure he cut, for his doublet was of scarlet silk
and his stockings also; a handsome sword hung by his side,
the embossed leathern scabbard being picked out with fine
threads of gold; his cap was of scarlet velvet, and a broad
feather hung down behind and back of one ear. His hair
was long and yellow and curled upon his shoulders, and in
his hand he bore an early rose, which he smelled at daintily
now and then.
‘By my life!’ quoth Robin Hood, laughing, ‘saw ye e’er
such a pretty, mincing fellow?’
‘Truly, his clothes have overmuch prettiness for my taste,’
quoth Arthur a Bland, ‘but, ne’ertheless, his shoulders are
broad and his loins are narrow, and seest thou, good mas-
ter, how that his arms hang from his body? They dangle not
down like spindles, but hang stiff and bend at the elbow. I
take my vow, there be no bread and milk limbs in those fine
clothes, but stiff joints and tough thews.’
‘Methinks thou art right, friend Arthur,’ said Little John.
‘I do verily think that yon is no such roseleaf and whipped-
cream gallant as he would have one take him to be.’
‘Pah!’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘the sight of such a fellow doth
put a nasty taste into my mouth! Look how he doth hold
that fair flower betwixt his thumb and finger, as he would
say, ‘Good rose, I like thee not so ill but I can bear thy odor
for a little while.’ I take it ye are both wrong, and verily be-
lieve that were a furious mouse to run across his path, he

1 1