Page 84 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

and, standing aloft on a bench, he called to all that were
near to come and drink with him. ‘Hey, sweet lads!’ cried he
‘who will drink ale with a stout yeoman? Come, all! Come,
all! Let us be merry, for the day is sweet and the ale is tin-
gling. Come hither, good yeoman, and thou, and thou; for
not a farthing shall one of you pay. Nay, turn hither, thou
lusty beggar, and thou jolly tinker, for all shall be merry
with me.
Thus he shouted, and all crowded around, laughing,
while the brown ale flowed; and they called Little John a
brave fellow, each swearing that he loved him as his own
brother; for when one has entertainment with nothing to
pay, one loves the man that gives it to one.
Then he strolled to the platform where they were at cud-
gel play, for he loved a bout at quarterstaff as he loved meat
and drink; and here befell an adventure that was sung in
ballads throughout the mid-country for many a day.
One fellow there was that cracked crowns of every-
one who threw cap into the ring. This was Eric o’ Lincoln,
of great renown, whose name had been sung in ballads
throughout the countryside. When Little John reached the
stand he found none fighting, but only bold Eric walking
up and down the platform, swinging his staff and shout-
ing lustily, ‘Now, who will come and strike a stroke for the
lass he loves the best, with a good Lincolnshire yeoman?
How now, lads? Step up! Step up! Or else the lasses’ eyes are
not bright hereabouts, or the blood of Nottingham youth is
sluggish and cold. Lincoln against Nottingham, say I! For
no one hath put foot upon the boards this day such as we of