Page 196 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

So Robin sat by the door, looking up the road and down
the road to see who might come, till, after a time, he saw
six horsemen come riding sedately and slowly, as became
them, for they were churchmen in high orders. Then, when
they had come nearer, Robin saw who they were, and knew
them. The first was the Bishop of Hereford, and a fine fig-
ure he cut, I wot. His vestments were of the richest silk, and
around his neck was a fair chain of beaten gold. The cap
that hid his tonsure was of black velvet, and around the edg-
es of it were rows of jewels that flashed in the sunlight, each
stone being set in gold. His hose were of flame-colored silk,
and his shoes of black velvet, the long, pointed toes being
turned up and fastened to his knees, and on either instep
was embroidered a cross in gold thread. Beside the Bishop
rode the Prior of Emmet upon a mincing palfrey. Rich were
his clothes also, but not so gay as the stout Bishop’s. Behind
these were two of the higher brethren of Emmet, and be-
hind these again two retainers belonging to the Bishop; for
the Lord Bishop of Hereford strove to be as like the great
barons as was in the power of one in holy orders.
When Robin saw this train drawing near, with flash of
jewels and silk and jingle of silver bells on the trappings of
the nags, he looked sourly upon them. Quoth he to him-
self, ‘Yon Bishop is overgaudy for a holy man. I do wonder
whether his patron, who, methinks, was Saint Thomas, was
given to wearing golden chains about his neck, silk clothing
upon his body, and pointed shoes upon his feet; the money
for all of which, God wot, hath been wrung from the sweat
of poor tenants. Bishop, Bishop, thy pride may have a fall

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