Page 233 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

Bright shone the sun on battlement and tower, and in the
blue air overhead a Hock of clattering jackdaws flew around
the gilded weather vane and spire. Then, in the brightness
of the morning, the drawbridge fell across the moat with a
rattle and clank of chains, the gate of the castle swung slow-
ly open, and a goodly array of steel-clad men-at-arms, with
a knight all clothed in chain mail, as white as frost on brier
and thorn of a winter morning, came flashing out from the
castle courtyard. In his hand the Knight held a great spear,
from the point of which fluttered a blood-red pennant as
broad as the palm of one’s hand. So this troop came forth
from the castle, and in the midst of them walked three pack
horses laden with parcels of divers shapes and kinds.
Thus rode forth good Sir Richard of the Lea to pay his
debt to Robin Hood this bright and merry morn. Along
the highway they wended their way, with measured tramp
of feet and rattle and jingle of sword and harness. Onward
they marched till they came nigh to Denby, where, from the
top of a hill, they saw, over beyond the town, many gay flags
and streamers floating in the bright air. Then Sir Richard
turned to the man-at-arms nearest to him. ‘What is toward
yonder at Denby today?’ quoth he.
‘Please Your Worship,’ answered the man-at-arms, ‘a
merry fair is held there today, and a great wrestling match,
to which many folk have come, for a prize hath been offered
of a pipe of red wine, a fair golden ring, and a pair of gloves,
all of which go to the best wrestler.’
‘Now, by my faith,’ quoth Sir Richard, who loved good
manly sports right well, ‘this will be a goodly thing to see.

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood