Page 243 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

and counted out five hundred pounds, the sum he had got-
ten from Robin.
‘Sir Richard,’ quoth Robin, ‘thou wilt pleasure us all if
thou wilt keep that money as a gift from us of Sherwood. Is
it not so, my lads?’
Then all shouted ‘Ay’ with a mighty voice.
‘I thank you all deeply,’ said the Knight earnestly, ‘but
think it not ill of me if I cannot take it. Gladly have I bor-
rowed it from you, but it may not be that I can take it as a
gift.’
Then Robin Hood said no more but gave the money to
Little John to put away in the treasury, for he had shrewd-
ness enough to know that nought breeds ill will and heart
bitterness like gifts forced upon one that cannot choose but
take them.
Then Sir Richard had the packs laid upon the ground and
opened, whereupon a great shout went up that made the
forest ring again, for lo, there were tenscore bows of finest
Spanish yew, all burnished till they shone again, and each
bow inlaid with fanciful figures in silver, yet not inlaid so as
to mar their strength. Beside these were tenscore quivers of
leather embroidered with golden thread, and in each quiver
were a score of shafts with burnished heads that shone like
silver; each shaft was feathered with peacock’s plumes, in-
nocked with silver.
Sir Richard gave to each yeoman a bow and a quiver of
arrows, but to Robin he gave a stout bow inlaid with the
cunningest workmanship in gold, while each arrow in his
quiver was innocked with gold.

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood