Page 375 - the-merry-adventures-of-robin-hood

feather to it, for I felt it as it left my fingers. Give me a clean
arrow, and I will engage to split the wand with it.’
At these words the yeomen laughed louder than ever.
‘Nay, good uncle,’ said Will Scarlet in his soft, sweet voice,
‘thou hast had thy fair chance and hast missed thine aim
out and out. I swear the arrow was as good as any that hath
been loosed this day. Come hither; I owe thee somewhat,
and would fain pay it.’
‘Go, good master,’ roared Friar Tuck, ‘and may my bless-
ing go with thee. Thou hast bestowed these love taps of Will
Scarlet’s with great freedom. It were pity an thou gottest not
thine own share.’
‘It may not be,’ said merry Robin. ‘I am king here, and no
subject may raise hand against the king. But even our great
King Richard may yield to the holy Pope without shame,
and even take a tap from him by way of penance; therefore
I will yield myself to this holy friar, who seemeth to be one
in authority, and will take my punishment from him.’ Thus
saying, he turned to the King, ‘I prythee, brother, wilt thou
take my punishing into thy holy hands?’
‘With all my heart,’ quoth merry King Richard, rising
from where he was sitting. ‘I owe thee somewhat for hav-
ing lifted a heavy weight of fifty pounds from my purse. So
make room for him on the green, lads.’
‘An thou makest me tumble,’ quoth Robin, ‘I will freely
give thee back thy fifty pounds; but I tell thee, brother, if
thou makest me not feel grass all along my back, I will take
every farthing thou hast for thy boastful speech.’
‘So be it,’ said the King, ‘I am willing to venture it.’ There-

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood