Page 291 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

Stutely came forth from the forest path into the open glade,
young Richard Partington riding between them upon his
milk-white horse. The three came toward where Robin
Hood sat, all the band staring with might and main, for nev-
er had they seen so gay a sight as this young Page, nor one
so richly clad in silks and velvets and gold and jewels. Then
Robin arose and stepped forth to meet him, and Partington
leaped from his horse and doffing his cap of crimson velvet,
met Robin as he came. ‘Now, welcome!’ cried Robin. ‘Now,
welcome, fair youth, and tell me, I prythee, what bringeth
one of so fair a presence and clad in such noble garb to our
poor forest of Sherwood?’
Then young Partington said, ‘If I err not, thou art the
famous Robin Hood, and these thy stout band of outlawed
yeomen. To thee I bring greetings from our noble Queen
Eleanor. Oft hath she heard thee spoken of and thy mer-
ry doings hereabouts, and fain would she behold thy face;
therefore she bids me tell thee that if thou wilt presently
come to London Town, she will do all in her power to guard
thee against harm, and will send thee back safe to Sherwood
Forest again. Four days hence, in Finsbury Fields, our good
King Henry, of great renown, holdeth a grand shooting
match, and all the most famous archers of merry England
will be thereat. Our Queen would fain see thee strive with
these, knowing that if thou wilt come thou wilt, with little
doubt, carry off the prize. Therefore she hath sent me with
this greeting, and furthermore sends thee, as a sign of great
good will, this golden ring from off her own fair thumb,
which I give herewith into thy hands.’

0 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood