Page 203 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

service; and so Allan and Ellen were duly wedded.
And now Robin counted out two hundred golden an-
gels to Edward of Deirwold, and he, upon his part, gave his
blessing, yet not, I wot, as though he meant it with over-
much good will. Then the stout yeomen crowded around
and grasped Allan’s palm, and he, holding Ellen’s hand
within his own, looked about him all dizzy with his hap-
piness.
Then at last jolly Robin turned to the Bishop of Hereford,
who had been looking on at all that passed with a grim look.
‘My Lord Bishop,’ quoth he, ‘thou mayst bring to thy mind
that thou didst promise me that did I play in such wise as to
cause this fair lass to love her husband, thou wouldst give
me whatsoever I asked in reason. I have played my play, and
she loveth her husband, which she would not have done
but for me; so now fulfill thy promise. Thou hast upon thee
that which, methinks, thou wouldst be the better without;
therefore, I prythee, give me that golden chain that hangeth
about thy neck as a wedding present for this fair bride.’
Then the Bishop’s cheeks grew red with rage and his eyes
flashed. He looked at Robin with a fell look, but saw that in
the yeoman’s face which bade him pause. Then slowly he
took the chain from about his neck and handed it to Robin,
who flung it over Ellen’s head so that it hung glittering about
her shoulders. Then said merry Robin, ‘I thank thee, on the
bride’s part, for thy handsome gift, and truly thou thyself
art more seemly without it. Now, shouldst thou ever come
nigh to Sherwood I much hope that I shall give thee there
such a feast as thou hast ne’er had in all thy life before.’

0 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood