Page 190 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

Robin Hood Compasses

a Marriage

ND NOW had come the morning when fair Ellen was
Ato be married, and on which merry Robin had sworn
that Allan a Dale should, as it were, eat out of the platter
that had been filled for Sir Stephen of Trent. Up rose Robin
Hood, blithe and gay, up rose his merry men one and all,
and up rose last of all stout Friar Tuck, winking the smart
of sleep from out his eyes. Then, while the air seemed to
brim over with the song of many birds, all blended together
and all joying in the misty morn, each man raved face and
hands in the leaping brook, and so the day began.
‘Now,’ quoth Robin, when they had broken their fast, and
each man had eaten his fill, ‘it is time for us to set forth
upon the undertaking that we have in hand for today. I will
choose me one score of my good men to go with me, for I
may need aid; and thou, Will Scarlet, wilt abide here and be
the chief while I am gone.’ Then searching through all the
band, each man of whom crowded forward eager to be cho-
sen, Robin called such as he wished by name, until he had a
score of stout fellows, the very flower of his yeomanrie. Be-
sides Little John and Will Stutely were nigh all those famous
lads of whom I have already told you. Then, while those so
chosen ran leaping, full of joy, to arm themselves with bow

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