Page 268 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

hast lifted eyelid upon; but I go not thither, for they have
a nasty way with me. Once, when the good Prior of Em-
met was dining there, the landlady set a dear little tart of
stewed crabs and barley sugar upon the window sill to cool,
and, seeing it there, and fearing it might be lost, I took it
with me till that I could find the owner thereof. Ever since
then they have acted very ill toward me; yet truth bids me
say that they have the best ale there that ever rolled over my
tongue.’
At this Robin laughed aloud. ‘Marry,’ quoth he, ‘they did
ill toward thee for thy kindness. But tell me truly, what hast
thou in thy pouches?’
‘Why,’ quoth the Beggar, peeping into the mouths of
his bags, ‘I find here a goodly piece of pigeon pie, wrapped
in a cabbage leaf to hold the gravy. Here I behold a dainty
streaked piece of brawn, and here a fair lump of white bread.
Here I find four oaten cakes and a cold knuckle of ham. Ha!
In sooth, ‘tis strange; but here I behold six eggs that must
have come by accident from some poultry yard hereabouts.
They are raw, but roasted upon the coals and spread with a
piece of butter that I see—‘
‘Peace, good friend!’ cried Robin, holding up his hand.
‘Thou makest my poor stomach quake with joy for what
thou tellest me so sweetly. If thou wilt give me to eat, I
will straightway hie me to that little inn thou didst tell of
but now, and will bring a skin of ale for thy drinking and
mine.’
‘Friend, thou hast said enough,’ said the Beggar, getting
down from the stile. ‘I will feast thee with the best that I