Part 31 (1/2)
”Tell ed, ”and ith me back upon the road Like as not I can help you”
”I should not speak rief to you,” the minstrel told hireenwood cannot be otherwise,” observed Robin
”Coht it,” said thely end the wretched, misfortunate life of Allan-a-Dale”
Robin perceived that there was a story to follow ”Walk with ossip, and ease your heart in confidence,” he said, cheerfully ”I can likely help you To-day is er, that I have lost h no fault of ether ”A wealthy baron has taken my love from me, and will marry her this very day; so I have come into these quiet woods that I may kill myself, for never can I live without my Fennel”
”Is that her naossip Fennel means 'Worthy of all praise,' and she is the most worthy of all maids”
”Perchance you do not know many maids, friend,” said Robin ”Tell me, is she dark-haired, and are her eyes sweet as violets?”
”In sooth, her eyes are blue enough, gossip,” said Allan; ”but her hair is like finespun gold And she has a little straight nose, and such a tender smile Marry, when I think upon her ain when I mind me that I have lost her”
”And why have you lost her, Allan-a-Dale?”
”Look you, 'tis this way The Normans overrun us, and are in such favor that none may say them nay This baron coveted the land wherein my love dwells; so her brother, as lord of it, was one day found still and stark--killed whilst hunting, folks say Thus thean Robin
”Hear ht overborne, no doubt; but never should this Nor have triumphed had it been rass? The wretch has poisoned ainst me, and 'tis she who has cast me into despair, while she is to be wedded with mine enemy”
”Does she love you, Allan?”
”Once she loved ave h,” said Robin, ”this wedding shall not be Can you keep your own counsel? Followof the way in which I lead you Hasten”
He brought the minstrel into Barnesdale woods and to their reenwood ave out the grievous story of Allan-a Dale
”Where is this e to be held?” asked Little John
”In Plyhed the o, by iant, ”and Monceux may meanwhile scour Barnesdale for us in vain! Thus virtue is plainly its oard”
”Well planned, indeed, Little John Fill quivers, friends, and let us go This shall be a strange e-day for your baron, Allan--if the lady be not stubborn You must move her, if she be cross with you We will do all other duties”
They travelled through one of their h in the heavens ere they had coht of the suard of ten archers liveried in scarlet and gold Robin bade the rest to approach under cover of the hedgerows He then borrowed Allan's cloak and harp, and stepped out boldly towards the church
A few villagers were gathered about the archers; and Robinodd answers to any who asked in turn of hi, the Bishop as to perfore came to the church door all in his fine robes and looked severely forth
”What is theof this unseemliness?” asked he, in well-known tones