Page 371 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

others came they leaped to their feet to meet him.
‘By my soul,’ quoth merry King Richard, when he had
gotten down from his mule and stood looking about him,
‘thou hast in very truth a fine lot of young men about thee,
Robin. Methinks King Richard himself would be glad of
such a bodyguard.’
‘These are not all of my fellows,’ said Robin proudly, ‘for
threescore more of them are away on business with my good
right-hand man, Little John. But, as for King Richard, I tell
thee, brother, there is not a man of us all but would pour out
our blood like water for him. Ye churchmen cannot rightly
understand our King; but we yeomen love him right loyally
for the sake of his brave doings which are so like our own.’
But now Friar Tuck came bustling up. ‘Gi’ ye good den,
brothers,’ said he. ‘I am right glad to welcome some of my
cloth in this naughty place. Truly, methinks these rogues
of outlaws would stand but an ill chance were it not for the
prayers of Holy Tuck, who laboreth so hard for their well-
being.’ Here he winked one eye slyly and stuck his tongue
into his cheek.
‘Who art thou, mad priest?’ said the King in a serious
voice, albeit he smiled beneath his cowl.
At this Friar Tuck looked all around with a slow gaze.
‘Look you now,’ quoth he, ‘never let me hear you say again
that I am no patient man. Here is a knave of a friar calleth
me a mad priest, and yet I smite him not. My name is Friar
Tuck, fellow—the holy Friar Tuck.’
‘There, Tuck,’ said Robin, ‘thou hast said enow. Prythee,
cease thy talk and bring some wine. These reverend men are

0 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood