Page 273 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

‘Now, out upon it!’ quoth he. ‘I did think to drub thee sweet-
ly, fellow. I know not how it is, but I seem, as it were, to
have bought more beer than I can drink. If I must give up
my clothes, I must, but first promise me, by thy word as a
true yeoman, that thou wilt take nought from me but my
clothes.’
‘I promise on the word of a true yeoman,’ quoth Robin,
thinking that the fellow had a few pennies that he would
save.
Thereupon the Beggar drew a little knife that hung at his
side and, ripping up the lining of his coat, drew thence ten
bright golden pounds, which he laid upon the ground be-
side him with a cunning wink at Robin. ‘Now thou mayst
have my clothes and welcome,’ said he, ‘and thou mightest
have had them in exchange for thine without the cost of a
single farthing, far less two golden angels.’
‘Marry,’ quoth Robin, laughing, ‘thou art a sly fellow, and
I tell thee truly, had I known thou hadst so much money by
thee maybe thou mightst not have carried it away, for I war-
rant thou didst not come honestly by it.’
Then each stripped off his clothes and put on those of
the other, and as lusty a beggar was Robin Hood as e’er you
could find of a summer’s day. But stout Riccon of Holywell
skipped and leaped and danced for joy of the fair suit of
Lincoln green that he had so gotten. Quoth he, ‘I am a gay-
feathered bird now. Truly, my dear Moll Peascod would
never know me in this dress. Thou mayst keep the cold
pieces of the feast, friend, for I mean to live well and lustily
while my money lasts and my clothes are gay.’

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood