Page 227 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

hand sat the Sheriff of Nottingham in rich robes of purple
all trimmed about with fur, and on his left a famous doctor
of law in dark and sober garb. Below these sat the high cel-
larer of Emmet, and others chief among the brethren.
Jest and laughter passed around, and all was as mer-
ry as merry could be. The wizened face of the man of law
was twisted into a wrinkled smile, for in his pouch were
fourscore golden angels that the Prior had paid him in fee
for the case betwixt him and Sir Richard of the Lea. The
learned doctor had been paid beforehand, for he had not
overmuch trust in the holy Vincent of Emmet.
Quoth the Sheriff of Nottingham, ‘But art thou sure, Sir
Prior, that thou hast the lands so safe?’
‘Ay, marry,’ said Prior Vincent, smacking his lips after a
deep draught of wine, ‘I have kept a close watch upon him,
albeit he was unawares of the same, and I know right well
that he hath no money to pay me withal.’
‘Ay, true,’ said the man of law in a dry, husky voice, ‘his
land is surely forfeit if he cometh not to pay; but, Sir Pri-
or, thou must get a release beneath his sign manual, or else
thou canst not hope to hold the land without trouble from
him.’
‘Yea,’ said the Prior, ‘so thou hast told me ere now, but
I know that this knight is so poor that he will gladly sign
away his lands for two hundred pounds of hard money.
Then up spake the high cellarer, ‘Methinks it is a shame to
so drive a misfortunate knight to the ditch. I think it sorrow
that the noblest estate in Derbyshire should so pass away
from him for a paltry five hundred pounds. Truly, I—‘

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood