Chapter 37

[_Robin Hood and his men making arrows._]

_Robin Hood._ This feather is too short. Give me another, Little John. This is a better one.

_Midge._ Making arrows is not a simple thing, is it, my master?

_Robin Hood._ Indeed, no; if the feathers be too short, the arrows will not keep true to their course; and if the feathers be too long, the arrows will not fly swiftly.

_Little John._ If all men knew how to make arrows, their skill in shooting would seem greater. Look to your arrows, say I, before you shoot.

_Will Scarlet._ We should thank the gray goose for the even growth of her feathers, which carries our arrows straight to the mark.

_Robin Hood._ First the strong bow that bends to our hand, then the straight arrow, tough and trim, and the feathers that wing it to its mark. But best of all the steady hand and keen eye that direct our winged shaft. But you have worked well this morning, my men, and now we may rest awhile. Sing us a song, Will Scarlet, while we lie beneath the friendly oak.

_Will Scarlet_ (_sings_).

The hunt is up! the hunt is up! And it is well-nigh day; And Harry our king has gone hunting To bring his deer to bay.

The east is bright with morning light, And darkness, it is fled; And the merry horn wakes up the morn To leave his idle bed.

Awake, all men! I say again Be merry as you may! For Harry our king is gone hunting To bring the deer to bay.

_Little John._ This song is well enough in its way, but for me, I should much prefer a good dinner. The morning's work has given me a fine appetite and I long for food.

_Robin Hood._ It is good to eat, but not before we find some rich traveler to pay the bill. Ride out, my man, and find us a host. Willing or unwilling, bid him come.

_Little John._ With right good will, my master; and may I soon meet with him!

_Robin Hood._ Remember well, no farmer shall you bring. He works for what he gets and shall live in peace. And the laborer who toils for wife and child you must not harm. Only those who oppress the poor and weak, those who are selfish and unkind, who play while others weep, these shall you bring to me.

_Will Scarlet._ But look, my master, what sorrowing knight rides there? His garments are rich and his horse gayly decked, but his countenance is sad and he rides slowly, careless of the way.

_Little John._ Hail, gentle knight; my master awaits you and fain would have your company at dinner.

_The Knight._ At dinner,--in the wood! Who is your master?

_Little John._ Robin Hood is he: and here he is to bid you welcome.

_Robin Hood._ Welcome, Sir Knight, thrice welcome art thou, for I have fasted beyond the dinner hour. Pray you, dismount.

_The Knight._ God save you and all your company!

_Midge._ The dinner is served, my master.

_Robin Hood._ Will you join us, Sir Knight? Here are pheasants and swans and meat of the deer.

_The Knight._ Such a good dinner, with so many brave men, I have not eaten for many a day. If I come again to this country, I will make thee as good a dinner. But Heaven knows when that will be!

_Robin Hood._ Thanks for your kind offer. But in the greenwood our guests must pay for their food. A yeoman does not pay for a rich knight!

_The Knight._ Sorry am I that you must call me poor. I would that I could pay you, but in my saddlebags are no more than ten shillings.

_Robin Hood._ Is that indeed the truth, Sir Knight? Look carefully, Little John; if the knight speaks truly, he shall keep the ten shillings, but if not--

_Little John._ Indeed, my master, the knight speaks truly, for this is all the money I can find.

_Robin Hood._ How comes it, noble knight, that thou art so poor? Come, tell me the story. Mayhap I can help thee.

_The Knight._ I am Sir Richard of Lea, and my ancestors have been knights for a hundred years. A year ago I had plenty of money to spend as I would. But now I have nothing for my wife and my children, who weep for my absence from them.

_Robin Hood._ But how did you lose all your money?

_The Knight._ Perhaps you will think I lost it in a foolish way. My son, whom I dearly love, is a manly youth. Well can he shoot and joust fairly in the field. But once, in a quarrel, he slew a youth, and to save him, I pledged all my lands. Unless I redeem them by All Saints Day I shall lose them all.

_Robin Hood._ What is the sum you are bound to pay?

_The Knight._ Four hundred pounds. The day is near and I have nothing.

_Robin Hood._ But what canst thou do if thou losest thy land? What wilt thou do?

_The Knight._ I will sail far away over the seas. I cannot remain in England.

_Robin Hood._ It is a small sum. Hast thou no friends to help thee in thy need?

_The Knight._ Many friends had I when I had money and lands. Now when I need their help they turn away and know me not.

_Robin Hood._ By my faith, gentle knight, thou shalt not want for a friend. Little John, go to the chest and count out four hundred pounds.

_Will Scarlet._ Shall he not have cloth for a coat, gentle master? He is thinly clad.

_Robin Hood._ Well said, Will Scarlet; go, get three measures of every kind, that he may be warmly and gayly clad.

_Little John._ Here is the money, Robin Hood, and good measure.

_Robin Hood._ And what will you give, Little John, who are so generous with my money?

_Little John._ A pair of golden spurs, that he may ride fast to his castle and redeem his lands.

_The Knight._ Many thanks, Little John, and to you, my good friend. Tell me, Robin Hood, when shall I come to return the money you so kindly lend me?

_Robin Hood._ This day twelvemonth; and a happy year may it be! We will meet under this trysting tree. Till then, be merry!

_The Knight._ I shall be with you a year from to-day. Farewell.