Page 280 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

Guild was over-rich, but never did I think that they sent
such sums as this to their treasury. I shall take it with me,
for it will be better used for charity and the good of my mer-
ry band than in the enriching of such knaves as these.’ So
saying, he rolled up the money in the sheepskin again, and
putting it back in the purse, he thrust the pouch into his
own bosom. Then taking up the flask of Malmsey, he held
it toward the two fellows lying on the grass, and quoth he,
‘Sweet friends, I drink your health and thank you dearly
for what ye have so kindly given me this day, and so I wish
you good den.’ Then, taking up his staff, he left the spot and
went merrily on his way.
But when the two stout beggars that had been rapped
upon the head roused themselves and sat up, and when the
others had gotten over their fright and come back, they
were as sad and woebegone as four frogs in dry weather, for
two of them had cracked crowns, their Malmsey was all
gone, and they had not so much as a farthing to cross their
palms withal.
But after Robin left the little dell he strode along merrily,
singing as he went; and so blithe was he and such a stout
beggar, and, withal, so fresh and clean, that every merry
lass he met had a sweet word for him and felt no fear, while
the very dogs, that most times hate the sight of a beggar,
snuffed at his legs in friendly wise and wagged their tails
pleasantly; for dogs know an honest man by his smell, and
an honest man Robin was— in his own way.
Thus he went along till at last he had come to the way-
side cross nigh Ollerton, and, being somewhat tired, he sat