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Robin.
‘Put up thy purse, Sir Richard,’ quoth Robin. ‘Far be it
from me to doubt the word of so gentle a knight. The proud
I strive to bring low, but those that walk in sorrow I would
aid if I could. Come, Sir Richard, cheer up thy heart and go
with us into the greenwood. Even I may perchance aid thee,
for thou surely knowest how the good Athelstane was saved
by the little blind mole that digged a trench over which he
that sought the king’s life stumbled.’
‘Truly, friend,’ said Sir Richard, ‘methinks thou mean-
est kindness in thine own way; nevertheless my troubles
are such that it is not likely that thou canst cure them. But
I will go with thee this day into Sherwood.’ Hereupon he
turned his horse’s head, and they all wended their way to
the woodlands, Robin walking on one side of the Knight
and Will Scarlet on the other, while the rest of the band
trudged behind.
After they had traveled thus for a time Robin Hood
spake. ‘Sir Knight,’ said he, ‘I would not trouble thee with
idle questions; but dost thou find it in thy heart to tell me
thy sorrows?’
‘Truly, Robin,’ quoth the Knight, ‘I see no reason why I
should not do so. Thus it is: My castle and my lands are in
pawn for a debt that I owe. Three days hence the money
must be paid or else all mine estate is lost forever, for then it
falls into the hands of the Priory of Emmet, and what they
swallow they never give forth again.’
Quoth Robin, ‘I understand not why those of thy kind
live in such a manner that all their wealth passeth from

10 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood