Page 80 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

bag held three hundred pounds in silver and gold. But to
the Sheriff it seemed as if every clink of the bright money
was a drop of blood from his veins. And when he saw it all
counted out in a heap of silver and gold, filling a wooden
platter, he turned away and silently mounted his horse.
‘Never have we had so worshipful a guest before!’ quoth
Robin, ‘and, as the day waxeth late, I will send one of my
young men to guide thee out of the forest depths.’
‘Nay, Heaven forbid!’ cried the Sheriff hastily. ‘I can find
mine own way, good man, without aid.’
‘Then I will put thee on the right track mine own self,’
quoth Robin, and, taking the Sheriff’s horse by the bridle
rein, he led him into the main forest path. Then, before he
let him go, he said, ‘Now, fare thee well, good Sheriff, and
when next thou thinkest to despoil some poor prodigal, re-
member thy feast in Sherwood Forest. ‘Ne’er buy a horse,
good friend, without first looking into its mouth,’ as our
good gaffer Swanthold says. And so, once more, fare thee
well.’ Then he clapped his hand to the horse’s back, and off
went nag and Sheriff through the forest glades.
Then bitterly the Sheriff rued the day that first he med-
dled with Robin Hood, for all men laughed at him and
many ballads were sung by folk throughout the country, of
how the Sheriff went to shear and came home shorn to the
very quick. For thus men sometimes overreach themselves
through greed and guile.