Page 221 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

and thou, Little John, count it over.’
A long time it took to count all the money, and when it
had been duly scored up, Will Scarlet called out that there
were fifteen hundred golden pounds in all. But in among
the gold they found a paper, and this Will Scarlet read in a
loud voice, and all heard that this money was the rental and
fines and forfeits from certain estates belonging to the Bish-
opric of Hereford.
‘My Lord Bishop,’ said Robin Hood, ‘I will not strip thee,
as Little John said, like a winter hedge, for thou shalt take
back one third of thy money. One third of it thou canst well
spare to us for thy entertainment and that of thy train, for
thou art very rich; one third of it thou canst better spare for
charity, for, Bishop, I hear that thou art a hard master to
those beneath thee and a close hoarder of gains that thou
couldst better and with more credit to thyself give to charity
than spend upon thy own likings.’
At this the Bishop looked up, but he could say never a
word; yet he was thankful to keep some of his wealth.
Then Robin turned to Sir Richard of the Lea, and quoth
he, ‘Now, Sir Richard, the church seemed like to despoil
thee, therefore some of the overplus of church gains may
well be used in aiding thee. Thou shalt take that five hun-
dred pounds laid aside for people more in need than the
Bishop is, and shalt pay thy debts to Emmet therewith.’
Sir Richard looked at Robin until something arose in his
eyes that made all the lights and the faces blur together. At
last he said, ‘I thank thee, friend, from my heart, for what
thou doest for me; yet, think not ill if I cannot take thy gift

0 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood