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Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpadden, CHAPTER I. HOW ROBIN HOOD BECAME AN OUTLAW

CHAPTER I. HOW ROBIN HOOD BECAME AN OUTLAW

List and hearken, gentlemen,

That be of free-born blood,

I shall you tell of a good yeoman,

His name was Robin Hood.

Robin was a proud outlaw,

While as he walked on the ground.

So courteous an outlaw as he was one

Was never none else found.

In the days of good King Harry the Second of England—he of the warring sons—there were certain forests in the north country set aside for the King's hunting, and no man might shoot deer therein under penalty of death.

These forests were guarded by the King's Foresters, the chief of whom, in each wood, was no mean man but equal in authority to the Sheriff in his walled town, or even to my lord Bishop in his abbey. One of the greatest of royal preserves was Sherwood and Barnesdale forests near the two towns of Nottingham and Barnesdale.

Here for some years dwelt one Hugh Fitzooth as Head Forester, with his good wife and son Robert. The boy had been born in Lockesley town—in the year 1160, stern records say—and was often called Lockesley, or Rob of Lockesley. He was a comely, well-knit stripling, and as soon as he was strong enough to walk his chief delight was to go with his father into the forest. As soon as his right arm received thew and sinew he learned to draw the long bow and speed a true arrow. While on winter evenings his greatest joy was to hear his father tell of bold Will o' the Green, the outlaw, who for many summers defied the King's Foresters and feasted with his men upon King's deer. And on other stormy days the boy learned to whittle out a straight shaft for the long bow, and tip it with gray goose feathers. The fond mother sighed when she saw the boy's face light up at these woodland tales.

She was of gentle birth, and had hoped to see her son famous at court or abbey. She taught him to read and to write, to doff his cap without awkwardness and to answer directly and truthfully both lord and peasant. But the boy, although he took kindly to these lessons of breeding, was yet happiest when he had his beloved bow in hand and strolled at will, listening to the murmur of the trees. Two playmates had Rob in these gladsome early days.

One was Will Gamewell, his father's brother's son, who lived at Gamewell Lodge, hard by Nottingham town. The other was Marian Fitzwalter, only child of the Earl of Huntingdon. The castle of Huntingdon could be seen from the top of one of the tall trees in Sherwood; and on more than one bright day Rob's white signal from this tree told Marian that he awaited her there: for you must know that Rob did not visit her at the castle. His father and her father were enemies. Some people whispered that Hugh Fitzooth was the rightful Earl of Huntingdon, but that he had been defrauded out of his lands by Fitzwalter, who had won the King's favor by a crusade to the Holy Land. But little cared Rob or Marian for this enmity, however it had arisen. They knew that the great green—wood was open to them, and that the wide, wide world was full of the scent of flowers and the song of birds. Days of youth speed all too swiftly, and troubled skies come all too soon.

Rob's father had two other enemies besides Fitzwalter, in the persons of the lean Sheriff of Nottingham and the fat Bishop of Hereford. These three enemies one day got possession of the King's ear and whispered therein to such good—or evil—purpose that Hugh Fitzooth was removed from his post of King's Forester. He and his wife and Rob, then a youth of nineteen, were descended upon, during a cold winter's evening, and dispossessed without warning. The Sheriff arrested the Forester for treason—of which, poor man, he was as guiltless as you or I—and carried him to Nottingham jail. Rob and his mother were sheltered over night in the jail, also, but next morning were roughly bade to go about their business. Thereupon they turned for succor to their only kinsman, Squire George of Gamewell, who sheltered them in all kindness. But the shock, and the winter night's journey, proved too much for Dame Fitzooth.

She had not been strong for some time before leaving the forest. In less than two months she was no more. Rob felt as though his heart was broken at this loss. But scarcely had the first spring flowers begun to blossom upon her grave, when he met another crushing blow in the loss of his father. That stern man had died in prison before his accusers could agree upon the charges by which he was to be brought to trial. Two years passed by.

Rob's cousin Will was away at school; and Marian's father, who had learned of her friendship with Rob, had sent his daughter to the court of Queen Eleanor. So these years were lonely ones to the orphaned lad. The bluff old Squire was kind to him, but secretly could make nothing of one who went about brooding and as though seeking for something he had lost. The truth is that Rob missed his old life in the forest no less than his mother's gentleness, and his father's companionship. Every time he twanged the string of the long bow against his shoulder and heard the gray goose shaft sing, it told him of happy days that he could not recall. One morning as Rob came in to breakfast, his uncle greeted him with, "I have news for you, Rob, my lad!

and the hearty old Squire finished his draught of ale and set his pewter tankard down with a crash. "What may that be, Uncle Gamewell?

asked the young man. "Here is a chance to exercise your good long bow and win a pretty prize.

The Fair is on at Nottingham, and the Sheriff proclaims an archer's tournament. The best fellows are to have places with the King's Foresters, and the one who shoots straightest of all will win for prize a golden arrow—a useless bauble enough, but just the thing for your lady love, eh, Rob my boy?" Here the Squire laughed and whacked the table again with his tankard. Rob's eyes sparkled.

"'Twere indeed worth shooting for, uncle mine," he said. "I should dearly love to let arrow fly alongside another man. And a place among the Foresters is what I have long desired. Will you let me try? "To be sure," rejoined his uncle.

"Well I know that your good mother would have had me make a clerk of you; but well I see that the greenwood is where you will pass your days. So, here's luck to you in the bout!" And the huge tankard came a third time into play. The young man thanked his uncle for his good wishes, and set about making preparations for the journey.

He traveled lightly; but his yew bow must needs have a new string, and his cloth-yard arrows must be of the straightest and soundest. One fine morning, a few days after, Rob might have been seen passing by way of Lockesley through Sherwood Forest to Nottingham town.

Briskly walked he and gaily, for his hopes were high and never an enemy had he in the wide world. But 'twas the very last morning in all his life when he was to lack an enemy! For, as he went his way through Sherwood, whistling a blithe tune, he came suddenly upon a group of Foresters, making merry beneath the spreading branches of an oak-tree. They had a huge meat pie before them and were washing down prodigious slices of it with nut brown ale. One glance at the leader and Rob knew at once that he had found an enemy.

'Twas the man who had usurped his father's place as Head Forester, and who had roughly turned his mother out in the snow. But never a word said he for good or bad, and would have passed on his way, had not this man, clearing his throat with a huge gulp, bellowed out: "By my troth, here is a pretty little archer! Where go you, my lad, with that tupenny bow and toy arrows? Belike he would shoot at Nottingham Fair! Ho! Ho! A roar of laughter greeted this sally.

Rob flushed, for he was mightily proud of his shooting. "My bow is as good as yours," he retorted, "and my shafts will carry as straight and as far.

So I'll not take lessons of any of ye. They laughed again loudly at this, and the leader said with frown:

"Show us some of your skill, and if you can hit the mark here's twenty silver pennies for you.

But if you hit it not you are in for a sound drubbing for your pertness. "Pick your own target," quoth Rob in a fine rage.

"I'll lay my head against that purse that I can hit it. "It shall be as you say," retorted the Forester angrily, "your head for your sauciness that you hit not my target.

Now at a little rise in the wood a herd of deer came grazing by, distant full fivescore yards.

They were King's deer, but at that distance seemed safe from any harm. The Head Forester pointed to them. "If your young arm could speed a shaft for half that distance, I'd shoot with you.

"Done!

cried Rob. "My head against twenty pennies I'll cause yon fine fellow in the lead of them to breathe his last. And without more ado he tried the string of his long bow, placed a shaft thereon, and drew it to his ear.

A moment, and the quivering string sang death as the shaft whistled across the glade. Another moment and the leader of the herd leaped high in his tracks and fell prone, dyeing the sward with his heart's blood. A murmur of amazement swept through the Foresters, and then a growl of rage.

He that had wagered was angriest of all. "Know you what you have done, rash youth?

he said.

"You have killed a King's deer, and by the laws of King Harry your head remains forfeit. Talk not to me of pennies but get ye gone straight, and let me not look upon your face again. Rob's blood boiled within him, and he uttered a rash speech.

"I have looked upon your face once too often already, my fine Forester. 'Tis you who wear my father's shoes. And with this he turned upon his heel and strode away.

The Forester heard his parting thrust with an oath.

Red with rage he seized his bow, strung an arrow, and without warning launched it full af' Rob. Well was it for the latter that the Forester's foot turned on a twig at the critical instant, for as it was the arrow whizzed by his ear so close as to take a stray strand of his hair with it. Rob turned upon his assailant, now twoscore yards away. "Ha!

said he. "You shoot not so straight as I, for all your bravado. Take this from the tupenny bow! Straight flew his answering shaft.

The Head Forester gave one cry, then fell face downward and lay still. His life had avenged Rob's father, but the son was outlawed. Forward he ran through the forest, before the band could gather their scattered wits—still forward into the great greenwood. The swaying trees seemed to open their arms to the wanderer, and to welcome him home. Toward the close of the same day, Rob paused hungry and weary at the cottage of a poor widow who dwelt upon the outskirts of the forest.

Now this widow had often greeted him kindly in his boyhood days, giving him to eat and drink. So he boldly entered her door. The old dame was right glad to see him, and baked him cakes in the ashes, and had him rest and tell her his story. Then she shook her head. "'Tis an evil wind that blows through Sherwood," she said.

"The poor are despoiled and the rich ride over their bodies. My three sons have been outlawed for shooting King's deer to keep us from starving, and now hide in the wood. And they tell me that twoscore of as good men as ever drew bow are in hiding with them. "Where are they, good mother?

cried Rob. "By my faith, I will join them. "Nay, nay," replied the old woman at first.

But when she saw that there was no other way, she said: "My sons will visit me to-night. Stay you here and see them if you must. So Rob stayed willingly to see the widow's sons that night, for they were men after his own heart.

And when they found that his mood was with them, they made him swear an oath of fealty, and told him the haunt of the band—a place he knew right well. Finally one of them said: "But the band lacks a leader—one who can use his head as well as his hand.

So we have agreed that he who has skill enough to go to Nottingham, an outlaw, and win the prize at archery, shall be our chief. Rob sprang to his feet.

"Said in good time!" cried he, "for I had started to that self-same Fair, and all the Foresters, and all the Sheriff's men in Christendom shall not stand between me and the center of their target! And though he was but barely grown he stood so straight and his eye flashed with such fire that the three brothers seized his hand and shouted:

"A Lockesley!

a Lockesley! if you win the golden arrow you shall be chief of outlaws in Sherwood Forest! So Rob fell to planning how he could disguise himself to go to Nottingham town; for he knew that the Foresters had even then set a price on his head in the market-place.

It was even as Rob had surmised.

The Sheriff of Nottingham posted a reward of two hundred pounds for the capture, dead or alive, of one Robert Fitzooth, outlaw. And the crowds thronging the streets upon that busy Fair day often paused to read the notice and talk together about the death of the Head Forester. But what with wrestling bouts and bouts with quarter-staves, and wandering minstrels, there came up so many other things to talk about, that the reward was forgotten for the nonce, and only the Foresters and Sheriff's men watched the gates with diligence, the Sheriff indeed spurring them to effort by offers of largess.

His hatred of the father had descended to the son. The great event of the day came in the afternoon.

It was the archer's contest for the golden arrow, and twenty men stepped forth to shoot. Among them was a beggar-man, a sorry looking fellow with leggings of different colors, and brown scratched face and hands. Over a tawny shock of hair he had a hood drawn, much like that of a monk. Slowly he limped to his place in the line, while the mob shouted in derision. But the contest was open to all comers, so no man said him nay. Side by side with Rob—for it was he—stood a muscular fellow of swarthy visage and with one eye hid by a green bandage.

Him also the crowd jeered, but he passed them by with indifference while he tried his bow with practiced hand. A great crowd had assembled in the amphitheater enclosing the lists.

All the gentry and populace of the surrounding country were gathered there in eager expectancy. The central box contained the lean but pompous Sheriff, his bejeweled wife, and their daughter, a supercilious young woman enough, who, it was openly hinted, was hoping to receive the golden arrow from the victor and thus be crowned queen of the day. Next to the Sheriff's box was one occupied by the fat Bishop of Hereford; while in the other side was a box wherein sat a girl whose dark hair, dark eyes, and fair features caused Rob's heart to leap.

'Twas Maid Marian! She had come up for a visit from the Queen's court at London town, and now sat demurely by her father the Earl of Huntingdon. If Rob had been grimly resolved to win the arrow before, the sight of her sweet face multiplied his determination an hundredfold. He felt his muscles tightening into bands of steel, tense and true. Yet withal his heart would throb, making him quake in a most unaccountable way. Then the trumpet sounded, and the crowd became silent while the herald announced the terms of the contest.

The lists were open to all comers. The first target was to be placed at thirty ells distance, and all those who hit its center were allowed to shoot at the second target, placed ten ells farther off. The third target was to be removed yet farther, until the winner was proved. The winner was to receive the golden arrow, and a place with the King's Foresters. He it was also who crowned the queen of the day. The trumpet sounded again, and the archers prepared to shoot.

Rob looked to his string, while the crowd smiled and whispered at the odd figure he cut, with his vari-colored legs and little cape. But as the first man shot, they grew silent. The target was not so far but that twelve out of the twenty contestants reached its inner circle.

Rob shot sixth in the line and landed fairly, being rewarded by an approving grunt from the man with the green blinder, who shot seventh, and with apparent carelessness, yet true to the bull's-eye. The mob cheered and yelled themselves hoarse at this even marksmanship.

The trumpet sounded again, and a new target was set up at forty ells. The first three archers again struck true, amid the loud applause of the onlookers; for they were general favorites and expected to win.

Indeed 'twas whispered that each was backed by one of the three dignitaries of the day. The fourth and fifth archers barely grazed the center. Rob fitted his arrow quietly and with some confidence sped it unerringly toward the shining circle. "The beggar!

the beggar!" yelled the crowd; "another bull for the beggar!" In truth his shaft was nearer the center than any of the others. But it was not so near that "Blinder," as the mob had promptly christened his neighbor, did not place his shaft just within the mark. Again the crowd cheered wildly. Such shooting as this was not seen every day in Nottingham town. The other archers in this round were disconcerted by the preceding shots, or unable to keep the pace.

They missed one after another and dropped moodily back, while the trumpet sounded for the third round, and the target was set up fifty ells distant. "By my halidom you draw a good bow, young master," said Rob's queer comrade to him in the interval allowed for rest.

"Do you wish me to shoot first on this trial? "Nay," said Rob, "but you are a good fellow by this token, and if I win not, I hope you may keep the prize from yon strutters.

And he nodded scornfully to the three other archers who were surrounded by their admirers, and were being made much of by retainers of the Sheriff, the Bishop, and the Earl. From them his eye wandered toward Maid Marian's booth. She had been watching him, it seemed, for their eyes met; then hers were hastily averted. "Blinder's" quick eye followed those of Rob.

"A fair maid, that," he said smilingly, "and one more worthy the golden arrow than the Sheriff's haughty miss. Rob looked at him swiftly, and saw naught but kindliness in his glance.

"You are a shrewd fellow and I like you well," was his only comment.

Now the archers prepared to shoot again, each with some little care.

The target seemed hardly larger than the inner ring had looked, at the first trial. The first three sped their shafts, and while they were fair shots they did not more than graze the inner circle. Rob took his stand with some misgiving.

Some flecking clouds overhead made the light uncertain, and a handful of wind frolicked across the range in a way quite disturbing to a bowman's nerves. His eyes wandered for a brief moment to the box wherein sat the dark-eyed girl. His heart leaped! she met his glance and smiled at him reassuringly. And in that moment he felt that she knew him despite his disguise and looked to him to keep the honor of old Sherwood. He drew his bow firmly and, taking advantage of a momentary lull in the breeze, launched the arrow straight and true-singing across the range to the center of the target. "The beggar!

the beggar! a bull! a bull!" yelled the fickle mob, who from jeering him were now his warm friends. "Can you beat that, Blinder? The last archer smiled scornfully and made ready.

He drew his bow with ease and grace and, without seeming to study the course, released the winged arrow. Forward it leaped toward the target, and all eyes followed its flight. A loud uproar broke forth when it alighted, just without the center and grazing the shaft sent by Rob. The stranger made a gesture of surprise when his own eyes announced the result to him, but saw his error. He had not allowed for the fickle gust of wind which seized the arrow and carried it to one side. But for all that he was the first to congratulate the victor. "I hope we may shoot again," quoth he.

"In truth I care not for the golden bauble and wished to win it in despite of the Sheriff for whom I have no love. Now crown the lady of your choice." And turning suddenly he was lost in the crowd, before Rob could utter what it was upon his lips to say, that he would shoot again with him. And now the herald summoned Rob to the Sheriff's box to receive the prize.

"You are a curious fellow enough," said the Sheriff, biting his lip coldly; "yet you shoot well.

What name go you by? Marian sat near and was listening intently.

"I am called Rob the Stroller, my Lord Sheriff," said the archer.

Marian leaned back and smiled.

"Well, Rob the Stroller, with a little attention to your skin and clothes you would not be so bad a man," said the Sheriff.

"How like you the idea of entering my service. "Rob the Stroller has ever been a free man, my Lord, and desires no service.

The Sheriff's brow darkened, yet for the sake of his daughter and the golden arrow, he dissembled.

"Rob the Stroller," said he, "here is the golden arrow which has been offered to the best of archers this day.

You are awarded the prize. See that you bestow it worthily. At this point the herald nudged Rob and half inclined his head toward the Sheriff's daughter, who sat with a thin smile upon her lips.

But Rob heeded him not. He took the arrow and strode to the next box where sat Maid Marian. "Lady," he said, "pray accept this little pledge from a poor stroller who would devote the best shafts in his quiver to serve you.

"My thanks to you, Rob in the Hood," replied she with a roguish twinkle in her eye; and she placed the gleaming arrow in her hair, while the people shouted, "The Queen!

the Queen! The Sheriff glowered furiously upon this ragged archer who had refused his service, taken his prize without a word of thanks, and snubbed his daughter.

He would have spoken, but his proud daughter restrained him. He called to his guard and bade them watch the beggar. But Rob had already turned swiftly, lost himself in the throng, and headed straight for the town gate. That same evening within a forest glade a group of men—some twoscore clad in Lincoln green—sat round a fire roasting venison and making merry.

Suddenly a twig crackled and they sprang to their feet and seized their weapons. "I look for the widow's sons," a clear voice said, "and I come alone.

Instantly the three men stepped forward.

"Tis Rob!

they cried; "welcome to Sherwood Forest, Rob!" And all the men came and greeted him; for they had heard his story. Then one of the widow's sons, Stout Will, stepped forth and said:

"Comrades all, ye know that our band has sadly lacked a leader—one of birth, breeding, and skill.

Belike we have found that leader in this young man. And I and my brothers have told him that the band would choose that one who should bring the Sheriff to shame this day and capture his golden arrow. Is it not so? The band gave assent.

Will turned to Rob.

"What news bring you from Nottingham town?" asked he. Rob laughed.

"In truth I brought the Sheriff to shame for mine own pleasure, and won his golden arrow to boot. But as to the prize ye must e'en take my word, for I bestowed it upon a maid. And seeing the men stood in doubt at this, he continued: "But I'll gladly join your band, and you take me, as a common archer.

For there are others older and mayhap more skilled than I. Then stepped one forward from the rest, a tall swarthy man.

And Rob recognized him as the man with the green blinder; only this was now removed, and his freed eye gleamed as stoutly as the other one. "Rob in the Hood—for such the lady called you," said he, "I can vouch for your tale.

You shamed the Sheriff e'en as I had hoped to do; and we can forego the golden arrow since it is in such fair hands. As to your shooting and mine, we must let future days decide. But here I, Will Stutely, declare that I will serve none other chief save only you. Then good Will Stutely told the outlaws of Rob's deeds, and gave him his hand of fealty.

And the widow's sons did likewise, and the other members every one, right gladly; because Will Stutely had heretofore been the truest bow in all the company. And they toasted him in nut brown ale, and hailed him as their leader, by the name of Robin Hood. And he accepted that name because Maid Marian had said it. By the light of the camp-fire the band exchanged signs and passwords.

They gave Robin Hood a horn upon which he was to blow to summon them. They swore, also, that while they might take money and goods from the unjust rich, they would aid and befriend the poor and the helpless; and that they would harm no woman, be she maid, wife, or widow. They swore all this with solemn oaths, while they feasted about the ruddy blaze, under the greenwood tree. And that is how Robin Hood became an outlaw.

CHAPTER I. HOW ROBIN HOOD BECAME AN OUTLAW KAPITEL I. WIE ROBIN HOOD EIN GESETZLOSER WURDE CHAPTER I. HOW ROBIN HOOD BECAME AN OUTLAW CAPÍTULO I. CÓMO ROBIN HOOD SE CONVIRTIÓ EN UN FORAJIDO CAPITOLO I. COME ROBIN HOOD DIVENNE UN FUORILEGGE I SKYRIUS. KAIP ROBINAS HUDAS TAPO NUSIKALTĖLIU CAPÍTULO I. COMO ROBIN HOOD SE TORNOU UM FORA-DA-LEI ГЛАВА I. КАК РОБИН ГУД СТАЛ ПРЕСТУПНИКОМ BÖLÜM I. ROBIN HOOD NASIL KANUN KAÇAĞI OLDU РОЗДІЛ І. ЯК РОБІН ГУД СТАВ ЗЛОЧИНЦЕМ

List and hearken, gentlemen, Liste e ouça, senhores, Dinleyin ve kulak verin, beyler, Слухайте і запам'ятайте, панове, 列出並聽著,先生們,

That be of free-born blood, Qui sont de sang libre, Que seja de sangue nascido livre, Özgür doğmuş kandan olan, Це має бути вільнонароджена кров, 那是生來自由的血液,

I shall you tell of a good yeoman, Je vous parlerai d'un bon yeoman, Falar-vos-ei de um bom lavrador, Я розповім тобі про хорошого старшину, 我要告訴你一個好自耕農,

His name was Robin Hood. O seu nome era Robin Hood. 他的名字叫羅賓漢。

Robin was a proud outlaw, Robin era um orgulhoso fora da lei, Робин был гордым преступником, Robin gururlu bir kanun kaçağıydı, 羅賓是個驕傲的亡命之徒,

While as he walked on the ground. Enquanto caminhava no chão. Пока он ходил по земле. Yerde yürürken. 當他在地上行走的時候。

So courteous an outlaw as he was one Um fora da lei tão cortês como ele era Такой вежливый преступник, каким он был 他還是個如此彬彬有禮的亡命之徒

Was never none else found. Nunca mais ninguém foi encontrado. Так и не был найден.

In the days of good King Harry the Second of England—he of the warring sons—there were certain forests in the north country set aside for the King’s hunting, and no man might shoot deer therein under penalty of death. À l'époque du bon roi Harry II d'Angleterre - celui des fils ennemis -, certaines forêts du nord du pays étaient réservées à la chasse du roi, et nul ne pouvait y abattre un cerf sous peine de mort. No tempo do bom rei Harry, o Segundo de Inglaterra - o dos filhos beligerantes - havia certas florestas no norte do país reservadas para a caça do rei, e nenhum homem podia abater veados nelas sob pena de morte. Во времена доброго короля Англии Гарри Второго, одного из воинствующих сыновей, на севере страны были определенные леса, отведенные для охоты короля, и ни один человек не мог стрелять в них на оленей под страхом смерти. Savaşan oğullardan İngiltere Kralı İkinci Harry'nin zamanında, kuzey ülkesinde Kral'ın avlanması için ayrılmış bazı ormanlar vardı ve hiç kimse ölüm cezası altında orada geyik vuramazdı. За часів доброго короля Англії Гаррі Другого - одного з ворогуючих синів - на півночі країни були ліси, відведені для королівського полювання, і ніхто не міг стріляти в них оленів під страхом смертної кари. 在善良的英格蘭國王哈利二世(他是好戰的兒子們)的時代,北方地區有一些森林供國王狩獵,任何人不得在其中射殺鹿,否則將被判處死刑。

These forests were guarded by the King’s Foresters, the chief of whom, in each wood, was no mean man but equal in authority to the Sheriff in his walled town, or even to my lord Bishop in his abbey. Estas florestas eram guardadas pelos guardas florestais do rei, cujo chefe, em cada floresta, não era um homem vulgar, mas igual em autoridade ao xerife na sua cidade murada, ou mesmo ao meu senhor bispo na sua abadia. Эти леса охранялись королевскими лесниками, начальником которых в каждом лесу был человек не заурядный, а равный по власти шерифу в его обнесенном стеной городе или даже милорду епископу в его аббатстве. Ці ліси охоронялися королівськими лісниками, начальник яких у кожному лісі був неабиякою людиною, а за владою дорівнював шерифу у своєму обнесеному мурами місті або навіть мілорду єпископу у своєму абатстві. 這些森林由國王的護林員看守,每片森林中的護林員首領都不是小人物,其權力與城牆城鎮中的治安官同等,甚至與修道院中的主教大人同等。 One of the greatest of royal preserves was Sherwood and Barnesdale forests near the two towns of Nottingham and Barnesdale. Uma das maiores reservas reais era a floresta de Sherwood e Barnesdale, perto das duas cidades de Nottingham e Barnesdale. Одним из величайших королевских заповедников были леса Шервуд и Барнсдейл возле двух городов Ноттингем и Барнсдейл. Одним з найбільших королівських заповідників були ліси Шервуд і Барнсдейл поблизу двох міст Ноттінгем і Барнсдейл. 最大的皇家保護區之一是諾丁漢和巴恩斯代爾兩個城鎮附近的捨伍德和巴恩斯代爾森林。

Here for some years dwelt one Hugh Fitzooth as Head Forester, with his good wife and son Robert. Durante alguns anos, viveu aqui um tal Hugh Fitzooth como chefe dos silvicultores, com a sua boa esposa e o seu filho Robert. Тут кілька років мешкав головний лісничий Г'ю Фітцут з дружиною і сином Робертом. 林務主管休·菲佐斯 (Hugh Fitzooth) 與他的好妻子和兒子羅伯特 (Robert) 在此居住了數年。 The boy had been born in Lockesley town—in the year 1160, stern records say—and was often called Lockesley, or Rob of Lockesley. O rapaz tinha nascido na cidade de Lockesley - no ano de 1160, segundo os registos severos - e era frequentemente chamado Lockesley, ou Rob de Lockesley. Хлопчик народився в містечку Локслі в 1160 році, як свідчать суворі записи, і його часто називали Локслі, або Роб із Локслі. 這個男孩出生在洛克斯利鎮——嚴格的記錄顯示,出生於 1160 年——通常被稱為洛克斯利,或洛克斯利的羅布。 He was a comely, well-knit stripling, and as soon as he was strong enough to walk his chief delight was to go with his father into the forest. Era um rapazinho bonito e bem constituído e, assim que ficou suficientemente forte para andar, o seu principal prazer era ir com o pai para a floresta. Güzel, iyi örülmüş bir çocuktu ve yürüyecek kadar güçlenir güçlenmez en büyük zevki babasıyla birlikte ormana gitmekti. Він був милим, добре згуртованим хлопчиськом, і як тільки він зміцнів і почав ходити, його найбільшою радістю було йти з батьком до лісу. 他是個英俊、健壯的小伙子,一旦他有足夠的力量走路,他最高興的就是和他的父親一起走進森林。 As soon as his right arm received thew and sinew he learned to draw the long bow and speed a true arrow. Logo que o seu braço direito recebeu o fio e o tendão, aprendeu a puxar o arco longo e a lançar uma flecha verdadeira. Як тільки його права рука прийняла сухожилля, він навчився натягувати довгий лук і пускати справжнісінькі стріли. 當他的右臂接受了它們和肌腱後,他學會了拉長弓和射出真正的箭。 While on winter evenings his greatest joy was to hear his father tell of bold Will o' the Green, the outlaw, who for many summers defied the King’s Foresters and feasted with his men upon King’s deer. Nas noites de inverno, a sua maior alegria era ouvir o pai falar do corajoso Will o' the Green, o fora da lei, que durante muitos Verões desafiou os guardas florestais do Rei e se banqueteou com os seus homens com veados do Rei. А зимовими вечорами найбільшою радістю для нього було слухати розповіді батька про сміливого Вілла Зеленого, розбійника, який багато років поспіль кидав виклик королівським лісівникам і разом зі своїми людьми бенкетував на королівських оленях. 冬天的夜晚,他最大的樂趣就是聽父親講述勇敢的綠者威爾的故事,這位亡命之徒在許多個夏天都反抗國王的護林員,並與他的部下一起享用國王的鹿。 And on other stormy days the boy learned to whittle out a straight shaft for the long bow, and tip it with gray goose feathers. Noutros dias de tempestade, o rapaz aprendeu a talhar uma haste direita para o arco longo e a colocá-la com penas de ganso cinzento. А в інші буремні дні хлопчик вчився вистругувати прямий держак для довгого лука і набивати його сірим гусячим пір'ям. 在其他暴風雨的日子裡,男孩學會了為長弓削出直桿,並在它的尖端加上灰色的鵝毛。 The fond mother sighed when she saw the boy’s face light up at these woodland tales. A mãe carinhosa suspirou quando viu o rosto do rapaz iluminar-se com estes contos da floresta. Любляча мати зітхнула, побачивши, як засвітилося обличчя хлопчика від цих лісових казок. 當這位慈愛的母親看到男孩因這些林地故事而臉上露出笑容時,她嘆了口氣。

She was of gentle birth, and had hoped to see her son famous at court or abbey. De origem humilde, tinha a esperança de ver o seu filho famoso na corte ou na abadia. Вона мала лагідне походження і сподівалася побачити свого сина відомим при дворі або в абатстві. 她出身高貴,希望看到兒子在宮廷或修道院出名。 She taught him to read and to write, to doff his cap without awkwardness and to answer directly and truthfully both lord and peasant. Ensinou-o a ler e a escrever, a tirar o chapéu sem constrangimento e a responder direta e honestamente tanto ao senhor como ao camponês. Вона навчила його читати і писати, знімати шапку без ніяковості і відповідати прямо і правдиво як пану, так і селянину. 她教他讀書寫字,毫不尷尬地脫下帽子,直接而誠實地回答領主和農民的問題。 But the boy, although he took kindly to these lessons of breeding, was yet happiest when he had his beloved bow in hand and strolled at will, listening to the murmur of the trees. But the boy, although he took kindly to these lessons of breeding, was yet happiest when he had his beloved bow in hand and strolled at will, listening to the murmur of the trees. Mas o rapaz, embora aceitasse bem estas lições de educação, era ainda mais feliz quando tinha o seu querido arco na mão e passeava à vontade, ouvindo o murmúrio das árvores. Але хлопчик, хоч і ставився до цих уроків виховання з розумінням, все ж таки був найщасливішим, коли тримав у руках свій улюблений лук і прогулювався за власним бажанням, прислухаючись до шуму дерев. 但男孩雖然很樂意接受這些教養的教訓,但當他手裡拿著心愛的弓,隨意漫步,聆聽樹木的呢喃時,他卻是最快樂的。 Two playmates had Rob in these gladsome early days. Dois companheiros de brincadeira tinham Rob nesses primeiros dias felizes. Двоє товаришів по іграх супроводжували Роба в ці радісні ранні дні. 羅佈在早期的快樂日子裡有兩個玩伴。

One was Will Gamewell, his father’s brother’s son, who lived at Gamewell Lodge, hard by Nottingham town. Um deles era Will Gamewell, filho do irmão do seu pai, que vivia em Gamewell Lodge, perto da cidade de Nottingham. Одним з них був Вілл Геймвелл, син брата свого батька, який жив у Геймвелл Лодж, неподалік від міста Ноттінгем. 其中一位是威爾·加姆威爾(Will Gamewell),他父親的兄弟的兒子,住在諾丁漢鎮附近的加姆韋爾旅館(Gamewell Lodge)。 The other was Marian Fitzwalter, only child of the Earl of Huntingdon. A outra era Marian Fitzwalter, filha única do Conde de Huntingdon. Іншою була Маріан Фіцуолтер, єдина дитина графа Гантінгдона. 另一個是瑪麗安·菲茨瓦爾特,亨廷頓伯爵的獨生子。 The castle of Huntingdon could be seen from the top of one of the tall trees in Sherwood; and on more than one bright day Rob’s white signal from this tree told Marian that he awaited her there: for you must know that Rob did not visit her at the castle. O castelo de Huntingdon podia ser visto do cimo de uma das árvores altas de Sherwood; e, em mais do que um dia luminoso, o sinal branco de Rob a partir dessa árvore disse a Marian que ele a esperava lá: pois deves saber que Rob não a visitava no castelo. З верхівки одного з високих дерев у Шервуді було видно замок Гантінгдон; і не одного ясного дня білий сигнал Роба з цього дерева сповіщав Меріен, що він чекає на неї там: адже ви маєте знати, що Роб не відвідував її в замку. 從舍伍德的一棵高大的樹頂上可以看到亨廷頓城堡。在不只一個晴朗的日子裡,羅布從這棵樹上發出白色信號,告訴瑪麗安他在那裡等她:因為你必須知道羅布沒有去城堡拜訪她。 His father and her father were enemies. O pai dele e o pai dela eram inimigos. Some people whispered that Hugh Fitzooth was the rightful Earl of Huntingdon, but that he had been defrauded out of his lands by Fitzwalter, who had won the King’s favor by a crusade to the Holy Land. Algumas pessoas sussurravam que Hugh Fitzooth era o legítimo conde de Huntingdon, mas que tinha sido defraudado das suas terras por Fitzwalter, que tinha conquistado o favor do rei através de uma cruzada à Terra Santa. 有些人私下議論休·菲佐斯是合法的亨廷頓伯爵,但他被菲茨瓦爾特從自己的領地上騙走了,菲茨瓦爾特通過對聖地的十字軍東徵贏得了國王的青睞。 But little cared Rob or Marian for this enmity, however it had arisen. Mas pouco importava a Rob ou a Marian esta inimizade, independentemente do modo como tivesse surgido. Але Роба і Маріан мало хвилювала ця ворожнеча, як би вона не виникла. 但無論這種敵意是如何產生的,羅布或瑪麗安都不在乎。 They knew that the great green—wood was open to them, and that the wide, wide world was full of the scent of flowers and the song of birds. Sabiam que o grande bosque verde estava aberto para eles, e que o vasto mundo estava cheio do perfume das flores e do canto dos pássaros. 他們知道,大片的綠林向他們敞開,廣闊的世界充滿了花香和鳥鳴。 Days of youth speed all too swiftly, and troubled skies come all too soon. Os dias de juventude passam demasiado depressa, e os céus agitados chegam demasiado cedo. Дні молодості минають надто швидко, а неспокійне небо настає надто рано. 青春的日子過得太快,煩惱的天空也來得太快。

Rob’s father had two other enemies besides Fitzwalter, in the persons of the lean Sheriff of Nottingham and the fat Bishop of Hereford. O pai de Rob tinha mais dois inimigos para além de Fitzwalter, nas pessoas do magro Xerife de Nottingham e do gordo Bispo de Hereford. 除了菲茨瓦爾特之外,羅布的父親還有兩個敵人,一個是瘦弱的諾丁漢警長,另一個是肥胖的赫里福德主教。 These three enemies one day got possession of the King’s ear and whispered therein to such good—or evil—purpose that Hugh Fitzooth was removed from his post of King’s Forester. Um dia, estes três inimigos apoderaram-se da orelha do Rei e sussurraram-na com um objetivo tão bom - ou mau - que Hugh Fitzooth foi afastado do seu posto de guarda-florestal do Rei. 有一天,這三個敵人佔據了國王的耳朵,並在其中竊竊私語,其善意或邪惡的目的導致休·菲佐斯被解除了國王護林員的職務。 He and his wife and Rob, then a youth of nineteen, were descended upon, during a cold winter’s evening, and dispossessed without warning. Lui, sa femme et Rob, alors âgé de dix-neuf ans, ont été attaqués par une froide soirée d'hiver et dépossédés sans avertissement. Ele, a sua mulher e Rob, na altura um jovem de dezanove anos, foram invadidos, numa noite fria de inverno, e despojados sem aviso prévio. На нього, його дружину і Роба, тоді дев'ятнадцятирічного юнака, напали холодного зимового вечора і без попередження забрали майно. 在一個寒冷的冬夜,他和他的妻子以及當時十九歲的青年羅布遭到襲擊,並在沒有任何警告的情況下被剝奪了財產。 The Sheriff arrested the Forester for treason—of which, poor man, he was as guiltless as you or I—and carried him to Nottingham jail. O xerife prendeu o guarda-florestal por traição - da qual, pobre homem, era tão inocente como tu ou eu - e levou-o para a prisão de Nottingham. 警長以叛國罪逮捕了森林人——可憐的人,他和你我一樣無罪——並把他帶到了諾丁漢監獄。 Rob and his mother were sheltered over night in the jail, also, but next morning were roughly bade to go about their business. Rob e a sua mãe também passaram a noite na prisão, mas na manhã seguinte foram grosseiramente mandados para as suas actividades. 羅布和他的母親也在監獄裡過夜,但第二天早上卻被粗暴地命令去處理他們的事情。 Thereupon they turned for succor to their only kinsman, Squire George of Gamewell, who sheltered them in all kindness. Ils se tournèrent alors vers leur seul parent, Squire George of Gamewell, qui les hébergea avec beaucoup de gentillesse. Por isso, pediram ajuda ao seu único parente, o escudeiro Jorge de Gamewell, que os acolheu com toda a bondade. 於是,他們向他們唯一的親戚、加姆韋爾的喬治鄉紳求助,喬治慷慨地庇護了他們。 But the shock, and the winter night’s journey, proved too much for Dame Fitzooth. Mas o choque e a viagem nocturna de inverno foram demasiado fortes para Dame Fitzooth. 但事實證明,這種震驚和冬夜的旅程對菲佐斯夫人來說實在太難承受了。

She had not been strong for some time before leaving the forest. Já não tinha forças há algum tempo, antes de deixar a floresta. 在離開森林之前,她已經有一段時間沒有體力了。 In less than two months she was no more. Em menos de dois meses deixou de existir. Менш ніж за два місяці її не стало. 不到兩個月,她就消失了。 Rob felt as though his heart was broken at this loss. Rob sentiu como se o seu coração estivesse partido com esta perda. 羅布因這次損失感到心都碎了。 But scarcely had the first spring flowers begun to blossom upon her grave, when he met another crushing blow in the loss of his father. Mas mal as primeiras flores da primavera tinham começado a desabrochar sobre a sua campa, quando ele sofreu outro golpe esmagador com a perda do seu pai. Але тільки-но на її могилі почали розпускатися перші весняні квіти, як його спіткав ще один нищівний удар - втрата батька. 但當第一朵春天的花朵在她的墳上綻放時,他又因失去父親而遭受了沉重的打擊。 That stern man had died in prison before his accusers could agree upon the charges by which he was to be brought to trial. Esse homem severo tinha morrido na prisão antes que os seus acusadores chegassem a acordo sobre as acusações que o levariam a julgamento. Цей суворий чоловік помер у в'язниці ще до того, як його обвинувачі змогли узгодити звинувачення, за якими його мали судити. 那個嚴厲的人在原告就他受審的指控達成一致之前就死在監獄裡了。 Two years passed by. Passaram dois anos. 兩年過去了。

Rob’s cousin Will was away at school; and Marian’s father, who had learned of her friendship with Rob, had sent his daughter to the court of Queen Eleanor. O primo de Rob, Will, estava na escola; e o pai de Marian, que soube da sua amizade com Rob, tinha enviado a filha para a corte da Rainha Eleanor. Кузен Роба, Вілл, був у школі, а батько Маріан, дізнавшись про її дружбу з Робом, відправив доньку до двору королеви Елеонори. 羅布的表哥威爾不在學校;瑪麗安的父親得知她與羅布的友誼後,將女兒送到了艾莉諾女王的宮廷。 So these years were lonely ones to the orphaned lad. Assim, estes anos foram solitários para o rapaz órfão. 所以這些年對這個孤兒來說是孤獨的。 The bluff old Squire was kind to him, but secretly could make nothing of one who went about brooding and as though seeking for something he had lost. O velho escudeiro era gentil com ele, mas secretamente não conseguia perceber quem andava a remoer e como que à procura de algo que tinha perdido. 直言不諱的老鄉紳對他很好,但私底下卻對這個四處沉思、彷彿在尋找失去的東西的人不以為然。 The truth is that Rob missed his old life in the forest no less than his mother’s gentleness, and his father’s companionship. A verdade é que Rob sentia falta da sua antiga vida na floresta, bem como da doçura da sua mãe e da companhia do seu pai. 事實上,羅布懷念他在森林裡的舊生活,就像他懷念母親的溫柔和父親的陪伴。 Every time he twanged the string of the long bow against his shoulder and heard the gray goose shaft sing, it told him of happy days that he could not recall. Cada vez que encostava a corda do arco longo ao ombro e ouvia o canto da haste do ganso cinzento, recordava-lhe dias felizes de que não se lembrava. 每當他把長弓的弦拉在肩上,聽到灰雁箭的鳴叫,都在訴說著他記不清的快樂時光。 One morning as Rob came in to breakfast, his uncle greeted him with, "I have news for you, Rob, my lad! Uma manhã, quando Rob chegou para tomar o pequeno-almoço, o seu tio cumprimentou-o: "Tenho novidades para ti, Rob, meu rapaz! 有一天早上,當羅佈進來吃早餐時,他的叔叔向他打招呼:「我有消息要告訴你,羅布,我的孩子!

and the hearty old Squire finished his draught of ale and set his pewter tankard down with a crash. Le vieil écuyer termina son verre d'ale et posa sa chope d'étain avec fracas. e o velho escudeiro acabou o seu copo de cerveja e pousou a sua caneca de estanho com um estrondo. і старий добродушний сквайр допив свій ель і з гуркотом поставив олов'яний барильце на землю. 興高采烈的老鄉紳喝完了他的啤酒,砰地一聲放下了他的白鑞酒杯。 "What may that be, Uncle Gamewell? "O que é que pode ser, tio Gamewell? 「那可能是什麼,加姆韋爾叔叔?

asked the young man. perguntou o jovem. "Here is a chance to exercise your good long bow and win a pretty prize. "Aqui está uma oportunidade para exercitar o seu bom arco longo e ganhar um belo prémio. "У вас є шанс потренувати свій гарний довгий лук і виграти гарний приз. 「這是一個鍛鍊你的長弓並贏得漂亮獎品的機會。

The Fair is on at Nottingham, and the Sheriff proclaims an archer’s tournament. A feira está a decorrer em Nottingham e o xerife proclama um torneio de arqueiros. У Ноттінгемі триває ярмарок, і шериф оголошує турнір лучників. 博覽會在諾丁漢舉行,治安官宣布舉辦弓箭比賽。 The best fellows are to have places with the King’s Foresters, and the one who shoots straightest of all will win for prize a golden arrow—a useless bauble enough, but just the thing for your lady love, eh, Rob my boy?" Os melhores companheiros terão lugares nos Guardas Florestais do Rei, e aquele que disparar mais certeiro de todos ganhará como prémio uma flecha de ouro - uma bugiganga inútil, mas mesmo a coisa certa para a tua amada, não é, Rob meu rapaz?" Найкращі хлопці отримають місця серед королівських лісничих, а той, хто влучно стрілятиме, отримає в нагороду золоту стрілу - марну дрібничку, але саме те, що треба для твоєї коханої, так, Робе, мій хлопчику?" 最好的傢伙會在國王林務員中佔有一席之地,而射得最直的人將贏得一支金箭作為獎品——雖然是個無用的小玩意,但正是送給你心愛的女士的東西,呃,搶我的孩子?” Here the Squire laughed and whacked the table again with his tankard. Aqui o escudeiro riu-se e voltou a bater na mesa com a sua caneca. Тут зброєносець засміявся і знову вдарив барилом по столу. 說到這裡,鄉紳大笑起來,再次用酒杯敲擊桌子。 Rob’s eyes sparkled. Os olhos de Rob brilharam.

"'Twere indeed worth shooting for, uncle mine," he said. "Valeu mesmo a pena disparar, tio meu", disse ele. "За них справді варто було стріляти, дядьку мій", - сказав він. 「『這確實值得為之奮鬥,我的叔叔,』他說。 "I should dearly love to let arrow fly alongside another man. "Gostaria muito de deixar a flecha voar ao lado de outro homem. "Я б дуже хотів, щоб стріла летіла пліч-о-пліч з іншою людиною. And a place among the Foresters is what I have long desired. E um lugar entre os silvicultores é o que há muito desejo. А місце серед Лісовиків - це те, чого я давно хотів. Will you let me try? Deixas-me tentar? "To be sure," rejoined his uncle. "De certeza", retorquiu o tio.

"Well I know that your good mother would have had me make a clerk of you; but well I see that the greenwood is where you will pass your days. "Bem sei que a tua boa mãe queria que eu fizesse de ti um escriturário; mas bem vejo que é no bosque que vais passar os teus dias. "Я знаю, що твоя добра мати хотіла б, щоб я зробив з тебе писаря, але я бачу, що ти проведеш свої дні в зеленому лісі. So, here’s luck to you in the bout!" Por isso, um brinde à vossa sorte no combate! Тож, удачі вам у поєдинку!" And the huge tankard came a third time into play. E a enorme caneca entrou em ação uma terceira vez. І величезна цистерна з'явилася в грі втретє. The young man thanked his uncle for his good wishes, and set about making preparations for the journey. Le jeune homme remercie son oncle pour ses bons vœux et se met à préparer le voyage. O jovem agradeceu ao tio os seus bons desejos e começou a preparar a viagem.

He traveled lightly; but his yew bow must needs have a new string, and his cloth-yard arrows must be of the straightest and soundest. Viajava com pouca bagagem, mas o seu arco de teixo tinha de ter uma corda nova e as suas flechas de tecido tinham de ser as mais rectas e sólidas. Він подорожував легко, але його тисовий лук потребував нової тятиви, а стріли з полотняного сагайдака мали бути найпрямішими та найміцнішими. One fine morning, a few days after, Rob might have been seen passing by way of Lockesley through Sherwood Forest to Nottingham town. Numa bela manhã, alguns dias depois, Rob pode ter sido visto a passar por Lockesley, pela floresta de Sherwood, até à cidade de Nottingham. Одного чудового ранку, через кілька днів після цього, Роба могли побачити, як він проїжджав через Локслі через Шервудський ліс до міста Ноттінгем.

Briskly walked he and gaily, for his hopes were high and never an enemy had he in the wide world. Caminhava rapidamente e alegremente, pois as suas esperanças eram grandes e nunca teve um inimigo no mundo inteiro. Він ішов бадьоро і весело, бо надії його були великі, і ніколи не було в нього ворогів у широкому світі. But 'twas the very last morning in all his life when he was to lack an enemy! Mas era a última manhã de toda a sua vida em que lhe faltava um inimigo! Але це був останній ранок у його житті, коли йому не вистачало ворога! For, as he went his way through Sherwood, whistling a blithe tune, he came suddenly upon a group of Foresters, making merry beneath the spreading branches of an oak-tree. Porque, enquanto seguia o seu caminho através de Sherwood, assobiando uma melodia alegre, deparou-se de repente com um grupo de silvicultores, que se divertiam sob os ramos de um carvalho. Бо, йдучи через Шервуд, насвистуючи веселу мелодію, він раптом натрапив на групу лісовиків, що веселилися під розлогим гіллям дуба. They had a huge meat pie before them and were washing down prodigious slices of it with nut brown ale. Tinham diante de si uma enorme tarte de carne e estavam a regá-la com uma cerveja de nozes. Перед ними стояв величезний м'ясний пиріг, і вони запивали величезні шматки горіховим коричневим елем. One glance at the leader and Rob knew at once that he had found an enemy. Um olhar para o líder e Rob soube imediatamente que tinha encontrado um inimigo. Один погляд на лідера - і Роб одразу зрозумів, що знайшов ворога.

'Twas the man who had usurped his father’s place as Head Forester, and who had roughly turned his mother out in the snow. Era o homem que tinha usurpado o lugar do seu pai como chefe dos silvicultores e que tinha expulsado a sua mãe na neve. But never a word said he for good or bad, and would have passed on his way, had not this man, clearing his throat with a huge gulp, bellowed out: "By my troth, here is a pretty little archer! Mais il ne dit pas un mot, ni en bien ni en mal, et il aurait continué son chemin si cet homme, se raclant la gorge d'un grand coup, ne s'était mis à hurler : "Par ma foi, voilà un joli petit archer ! Mas não disse uma palavra, nem para o bem nem para o mal, e teria seguido o seu caminho, se este homem, limpando a garganta com um grande gole, não tivesse gritado "Por amor de Deus, aqui está uma bela arqueira! Але він не промовив жодного слова, ні доброго, ні лихого, і пройшов би собі далі, якби цей чоловік, прочистивши горло величезним ковтком, не вигукнув: "Клянуся, я бачу маленького лучника: "Присягаюся, це гарненька маленька лучниця! Where go you, my lad, with that tupenny bow and toy arrows? Onde vais tu, meu rapaz, com esse arco de tupenny e flechas de brinquedo? Belike he would shoot at Nottingham Fair! Parece que ele ia disparar na Feira de Nottingham! Ho! Ho! A roar of laughter greeted this sally. Um rugido de gargalhadas saudou esta tentativa. Ревіння реготу зустріло цю салі.

Rob flushed, for he was mightily proud of his shooting. Rob ficou corado, pois estava muito orgulhoso da sua pontaria. "My bow is as good as yours," he retorted, "and my shafts will carry as straight and as far. "O meu arco é tão bom como o teu", retorquiu ele, "e as minhas hastes vão tão a direito e tão longe.

So I’ll not take lessons of any of ye. Por isso, não vou aceitar lições de nenhum de vós. They laughed again loudly at this, and the leader said with frown: Voltaram a rir-se alto com isto, e o líder disse com um ar carrancudo:

"Show us some of your skill, and if you can hit the mark here’s twenty silver pennies for you. "Mostra-nos um pouco da tua habilidade e, se conseguires acertar no alvo, aqui tens vinte pennies de prata para ti.

But if you hit it not you are in for a sound drubbing for your pertness. Mais si vous ne le touchez pas, vous risquez d'être bien malmené pour votre maladresse. Mas se não acertarem, vão levar uma valente tareia pela vossa falta de jeito. Але якщо ви не влучите, то отримаєте звуковий удар за свою сміливість. "Pick your own target," quoth Rob in a fine rage. "Escolhe o teu próprio alvo," disse Rob com uma raiva fina. "Вибирай собі мішень", - вигукнув Роб у прекрасній люті.

"I’ll lay my head against that purse that I can hit it. "Ich lege meinen Kopf gegen den Geldbeutel, damit ich ihn treffen kann. "Vou encostar a minha cabeça a essa bolsa para ver se consigo acertar. "It shall be as you say," retorted the Forester angrily, "your head for your sauciness that you hit not my target. "Es soll sein, wie du sagst", erwiderte der Förster wütend, "dein Kopf für deine Frechheit, dass du mein Ziel nicht triffst. "Será como dizes", retorquiu o guarda-florestal com raiva, "a tua cabeça por causa da tua atrevimento por não teres acertado no meu alvo. "Буде так, як ти скажеш, - сердито відповів Лісовик, - твоя голова за те, що ти влучив не в мою ціль.

Now at a little rise in the wood a herd of deer came grazing by, distant full fivescore yards. Agora, numa pequena elevação do bosque, uma manada de veados vinha pastando, a uma distância de cincoenta metros. Тепер на невеликому підвищенні в лісі паслося стадо оленів, за п'ятсот ярдів звідси.

They were King’s deer, but at that distance seemed safe from any harm. Eram veados do Rei, mas àquela distância pareciam estar a salvo de qualquer perigo. The Head Forester pointed to them. O chefe dos guarda-florestais apontou para eles. "If your young arm could speed a shaft for half that distance, I’d shoot with you. "Se o teu braço jovem conseguisse acelerar um eixo a metade dessa distância, eu disparava contigo. "Якби твоя молода рука могла прискорити вал на половину цієї відстані, я б стріляв разом з тобою.

"Done! "Feito!

cried Rob. gritou Rob. "My head against twenty pennies I’ll cause yon fine fellow in the lead of them to breathe his last. "A minha cabeça contra vinte tostões, farei com que aquele belo sujeito que os lidera dê o último suspiro. "Моя голова проти двадцяти копійок, і я змушу цього чудового хлопця, що стоїть попереду, дихати востаннє. And without more ado he tried the string of his long bow, placed a shaft thereon, and drew it to his ear. E, sem mais demoras, experimentou a corda do seu arco longo, colocou-lhe uma haste e encostou-a à orelha. І без зайвих слів натягнув тятиву свого довгого лука, поклав на неї держак і приклав до вуха.

A moment, and the quivering string sang death as the shaft whistled across the glade. Um momento, e a corda trémula cantava a morte enquanto o feixe assobiava através da clareira. Мить - і тремтяча струна заспівала смерть, а вал зі свистом пронісся по галявині. Another moment and the leader of the herd leaped high in his tracks and fell prone, dyeing the sward with his heart’s blood. Mais um momento e o líder da manada saltou alto no seu caminho e caiu de bruços, tingindo a relva com o sangue do seu coração. Ще мить - і ватажок стада підстрибнув високо на своїх слідах і впав навзнак, заливаючи кров'ю своє серце. A murmur of amazement swept through the Foresters, and then a growl of rage. Серед лісовиків прокотився гомін здивування, а потім - гарчання люті.

He that had wagered was angriest of all. "Know you what you have done, rash youth?

he said.

"You have killed a King’s deer, and by the laws of King Harry your head remains forfeit. "Ти вбив королівського оленя, і за законами короля Гаррі твоя голова підлягає конфіскації. Talk not to me of pennies but get ye gone straight, and let me not look upon your face again. Не говори мені про копійки, а йди прямо, і нехай я більше не бачу твого обличчя. Rob’s blood boiled within him, and he uttered a rash speech. Кров Роба закипіла в ньому, і він виголосив необдуману промову.

"I have looked upon your face once too often already, my fine Forester. "Я вже занадто часто дивився на твоє обличчя, мій прекрасний Лісничий. 'Tis you who wear my father’s shoes. Це ти носиш черевики мого батька. And with this he turned upon his heel and strode away. І з цими словами він повернувся на п'яту і пішов геть.

The Forester heard his parting thrust with an oath. Лісник почув його прощальний поштовх з клятвою.

Red with rage he seized his bow, strung an arrow, and without warning launched it full af' Rob. Червоний від люті, він схопив лук, натягнув стрілу і без попередження випустив її в Роба. Well was it for the latter that the Forester’s foot turned on a twig at the critical instant, for as it was the arrow whizzed by his ear so close as to take a stray strand of his hair with it. Добре, що в критичну мить нога лісівника зачепилася за гілку, бо стріла просвистіла біля його вуха так близько, що забрала з собою пасмо його волосся. Rob turned upon his assailant, now twoscore yards away. "Ha!

said he. "You shoot not so straight as I, for all your bravado. Take this from the tupenny bow! Візьміть це з копійчаного бантика! Straight flew his answering shaft. Прямо полетів його вал-відповідь.

The Head Forester gave one cry, then fell face downward and lay still. Головний лісничий вигукнув один раз, потім впав обличчям вниз і лежав нерухомо. His life had avenged Rob’s father, but the son was outlawed. Його життя помстилося за батька Роба, але син опинився поза законом. Forward he ran through the forest, before the band could gather their scattered wits—still forward into the great greenwood. Він побіг уперед через ліс, перш ніж група встигла зібратись з думками - все одно вперед, у велику зелену гущавину. The swaying trees seemed to open their arms to the wanderer, and to welcome him home. Здавалося, дерева, що колихалися, розкривали свої обійми перед мандрівником і вітали його вдома. Toward the close of the same day, Rob paused hungry and weary at the cottage of a poor widow who dwelt upon the outskirts of the forest. Наприкінці того ж дня Роб, голодний і втомлений, зупинився біля хатини бідної вдови, що мешкала на околиці лісу.

Now this widow had often greeted him kindly in his boyhood days, giving him to eat and drink. Ця вдова часто вітала його в дитячі роки, давала йому їсти і пити. So he boldly entered her door. Тож він сміливо увійшов у її двері. The old dame was right glad to see him, and baked him cakes in the ashes, and had him rest and tell her his story. Стара жінка дуже зраділа, коли побачила його, спекла йому пиріжки на попелищі, дала йому відпочити і розповіла свою історію. Then she shook her head. "'Tis an evil wind that blows through Sherwood," she said. "Це злий вітер, який дме через Шервуд", - сказала вона.

"The poor are despoiled and the rich ride over their bodies. "Бідних грабують, а багаті їздять по їхніх тілах. My three sons have been outlawed for shooting King’s deer to keep us from starving, and now hide in the wood. And they tell me that twoscore of as good men as ever drew bow are in hiding with them. Et ils me disent que vingt hommes aussi bons que ceux qui ont jamais tiré à l'arc se cachent avec eux. І мені сказали, що з ними переховуються два десятки найкращих людей, які коли-небудь стріляли з лука. "Where are they, good mother?

cried Rob. "By my faith, I will join them. "Вірою своєю я приєднаюся до них. "Nay, nay," replied the old woman at first. "Ні, ні", - спочатку відповіла старенька.

But when she saw that there was no other way, she said: "My sons will visit me to-night. Stay you here and see them if you must. Залишайся тут і побачишся з ними, якщо потрібно. So Rob stayed willingly to see the widow’s sons that night, for they were men after his own heart.

And when they found that his mood was with them, they made him swear an oath of fealty, and told him the haunt of the band—a place he knew right well. І коли вони побачили, що він налаштований з ними, вони змусили його скласти присягу на вірність і розповіли йому про місце перебування банди - місце, яке він добре знав. Finally one of them said: "But the band lacks a leader—one who can use his head as well as his hand. "Але групі не вистачає лідера - того, хто вміє користуватися не лише руками, а й головою.

So we have agreed that he who has skill enough to go to Nottingham, an outlaw, and win the prize at archery, shall be our chief. Тож ми домовилися, що той, хто буде достатньо вправним, щоб поїхати в Ноттінгем, розбійником, і виграти приз у стрільбі з лука, стане нашим вождем. Rob sprang to his feet.

"Said in good time!" cried he, "for I had started to that self-same Fair, and all the Foresters, and all the Sheriff’s men in Christendom shall not stand between me and the center of their target! вигукнув він, - бо я вирушив на той самий ярмарок, і всі лісники та всі шерифи в християнському світі не стануть між мною та центром їхньої мішені! And though he was but barely grown he stood so straight and his eye flashed with such fire that the three brothers seized his hand and shouted: І хоча він був ледве підріс, він стояв так прямо, а його очі спалахнули таким вогнем, що троє братів схопили його за руку і закричали:

"A Lockesley! "Локслі!

a Lockesley! if you win the golden arrow you shall be chief of outlaws in Sherwood Forest! So Rob fell to planning how he could disguise himself to go to Nottingham town; for he knew that the Foresters had even then set a price on his head in the market-place. Тож Роб почав планувати, як йому замаскуватися, щоб поїхати до Ноттінгема, адже він знав, що Лісники вже тоді призначили ціну за його голову на базарі.

It was even as Rob had surmised. Tout s'est passé comme Rob l'avait supposé. Все було так, як Роб і припускав.

The Sheriff of Nottingham posted a reward of two hundred pounds for the capture, dead or alive, of one Robert Fitzooth, outlaw. Шериф Ноттінгема оголосив нагороду в двісті фунтів за упіймання, живим чи мертвим, Роберта Фітцута, злочинця. And the crowds thronging the streets upon that busy Fair day often paused to read the notice and talk together about the death of the Head Forester. Натовпи людей, що заповнювали вулиці в той напружений ярмарковий день, часто зупинялися, щоб прочитати оголошення і разом обговорити смерть головного лісничого. But what with wrestling bouts and bouts with quarter-staves, and wandering minstrels, there came up so many other things to talk about, that the reward was forgotten for the nonce, and only the Foresters and Sheriff’s men watched the gates with diligence, the Sheriff indeed spurring them to effort by offers of largess. Mais les combats de lutte, les combats de quart de canne et les ménestrels ambulants suscitèrent tant d'autres sujets de conversation que la récompense fut oubliée pour l'instant et que seuls les forestiers et les hommes du shérif surveillèrent les portes avec diligence, le shérif les incitant même à l'effort en leur offrant des largesses.

His hatred of the father had descended to the son. Його ненависть до батька передалася і синові. The great event of the day came in the afternoon.

It was the archer’s contest for the golden arrow, and twenty men stepped forth to shoot. Це були змагання лучників за золоту стрілу, і двадцять чоловіків вийшли стріляти. Among them was a beggar-man, a sorry looking fellow with leggings of different colors, and brown scratched face and hands. Серед них був чоловік-жебрак, жалюгідний на вигляд, у різнокольорових штанцях, з коричневим подряпаним обличчям і руками. Over a tawny shock of hair he had a hood drawn, much like that of a monk. Над русявим волоссям у нього був накинутий капюшон, як у ченця. Slowly he limped to his place in the line, while the mob shouted in derision. Він повільно шкутильгав до свого місця в черзі, в той час як натовп вигукував глузливі вигуки. But the contest was open to all comers, so no man said him nay. Але конкурс був відкритий для всіх охочих, тож ніхто не відмовив йому. Side by side with Rob—for it was he—stood a muscular fellow of swarthy visage and with one eye hid by a green bandage. Пліч-о-пліч з Робом - а це був саме він - стояв м'язистий смаглявий хлопець з одним оком, прикритим зеленою пов'язкою.

Him also the crowd jeered, but he passed them by with indifference while he tried his bow with practiced hand. Натовп також глузував з нього, але він байдуже проходив повз них, поки тренованою рукою випробовував лук. A great crowd had assembled in the amphitheater enclosing the lists. В амфітеатрі зібрався великий натовп, що оточував списки.

All the gentry and populace of the surrounding country were gathered there in eager expectancy. Уся шляхта і населення навколишньої країни зібралися там у нетерплячому очікуванні. The central box contained the lean but pompous Sheriff, his bejeweled wife, and their daughter, a supercilious young woman enough, who, it was openly hinted, was hoping to receive the golden arrow from the victor and thus be crowned queen of the day. У центральній ложі сиділи худорлявий, але пихатий шериф, його прикрашена коштовностями дружина та їхня донька, досить зарозуміла молода жінка, яка, як відкрито натякали, сподівалася отримати від переможця золоту стрілу і таким чином стати королевою дня. Next to the Sheriff’s box was one occupied by the fat Bishop of Hereford; while in the other side was a box wherein sat a girl whose dark hair, dark eyes, and fair features caused Rob’s heart to leap. Поруч з ложею шерифа сидів товстий єпископ Герефордський, а в іншій ложі сиділа дівчина з темним волоссям, темними очима та гарними рисами обличчя, від яких серце Роба вискочило з грудей.

'Twas Maid Marian! Це була покоївка Маріанна! She had come up for a visit from the Queen’s court at London town, and now sat demurely by her father the Earl of Huntingdon. Вона приїхала з візитом з двору королеви в Лондоні і тепер скромно сиділа поруч зі своїм батьком, графом Гантінгдоном. If Rob had been grimly resolved to win the arrow before, the sight of her sweet face multiplied his determination an hundredfold. Якщо раніше Роб був похмуро налаштований виграти стрілу, то вигляд її милого обличчя примножив його рішучість у стократ. He felt his muscles tightening into bands of steel, tense and true. Він відчув, як його м'язи стискаються в сталеві смуги, напружені і справжні. Yet withal his heart would throb, making him quake in a most unaccountable way. Але при цьому його серце пульсувало, змушуючи його тремтіти в найнезбагненніший спосіб. Then the trumpet sounded, and the crowd became silent while the herald announced the terms of the contest. Потім пролунала сурма, і натовп замовк, поки глашатай оголошував умови конкурсу.

The lists were open to all comers. Списки були відкриті для всіх охочих. The first target was to be placed at thirty ells distance, and all those who hit its center were allowed to shoot at the second target, placed ten ells farther off. Перша мішень мала бути розміщена на відстані тридцяти еллів, і всі, хто влучив у її центр, мали право стріляти у другу мішень, розміщену на десять еллів далі. The third target was to be removed yet farther, until the winner was proved. Третя мішень мала бути віддалена ще далі, доки не буде доведено переможця. The winner was to receive the golden arrow, and a place with the King’s Foresters. Переможець мав отримати золоту стрілу та місце серед королівських лісників. He it was also who crowned the queen of the day. Він також коронував королеву дня. The trumpet sounded again, and the archers prepared to shoot. Знову пролунала сурма, і лучники приготувалися до стрільби.

Rob looked to his string, while the crowd smiled and whispered at the odd figure he cut, with his vari-colored legs and little cape. Роб дивився на свою мотузку, а натовп посміхався і перешіптувався, дивлячись на чудернацьку фігуру, яку він вирізав, з різнокольоровими ногами і маленькою накидкою. But as the first man shot, they grew silent. Але коли пролунав перший постріл, вони замовкли. The target was not so far but that twelve out of the twenty contestants reached its inner circle. Мета була не такою вже й далекою, але дванадцять з двадцяти конкурсантів потрапили до його внутрішнього кола.

Rob shot sixth in the line and landed fairly, being rewarded by an approving grunt from the man with the green blinder, who shot seventh, and with apparent carelessness, yet true to the bull’s-eye. Роб вистрілив шостим і влучно приземлився, за що був нагороджений схвальним бурчанням чоловіка з зеленим бліндером, який вистрілив сьомим, і з очевидною недбалістю, але точно в яблучко. The mob cheered and yelled themselves hoarse at this even marksmanship. Натовп аплодував і кричав до хрипоти від цієї влучної стрільби.

The trumpet sounded again, and a new target was set up at forty ells. The first three archers again struck true, amid the loud applause of the onlookers; for they were general favorites and expected to win. Перші три лучники знову влучили в ціль під гучні оплески глядачів, адже вони були загальними фаворитами і очікували на перемогу.

Indeed 'twas whispered that each was backed by one of the three dignitaries of the day. Дійсно, подейкували, що за кожним з них стояв один з трьох високопосадовців того дня. The fourth and fifth archers barely grazed the center. Четвертий і п'ятий лучники ледь зачепили центр. Rob fitted his arrow quietly and with some confidence sped it unerringly toward the shining circle. Rob a ajusté sa flèche sans bruit et, avec une certaine confiance, l'a fait filer infailliblement vers le cercle brillant. Роб спокійно наставив стрілу і з певною впевненістю спрямував її до сяючого кола. "The beggar! "Жебрак!

the beggar!" yelled the crowd; "another bull for the beggar!" кричав натовп; "Ще один бик для жебрака!" In truth his shaft was nearer the center than any of the others. Насправді його вал був ближче до центру, ніж у всіх інших. But it was not so near that "Blinder," as the mob had promptly christened his neighbor, did not place his shaft just within the mark. Але це було не так близько, щоб "Сліпий", як натовп швидко охрестив свого сусіда, не влучив своїм валом точно в мітку. Again the crowd cheered wildly. Such shooting as this was not seen every day in Nottingham town. Таку стрілянину, як ця, в Ноттінгемі бачили не щодня. The other archers in this round were disconcerted by the preceding shots, or unable to keep the pace. Інші стрільці в цьому раунді були збентежені попередніми пострілами або не змогли втримати темп.

They missed one after another and dropped moodily back, while the trumpet sounded for the third round, and the target was set up fifty ells distant. Вони промахувалися один за одним і понуро відступали назад, поки сурмач не пролунав третій постріл, а мішень була встановлена на відстані п'ятдесяти ярусів від них. "By my halidom you draw a good bow, young master," said Rob’s queer comrade to him in the interval allowed for rest. "Клянуся халідом, ви добре намалювали лук, юний майстре", - сказав Робу його товариш-чудак у перерві, дозволеній для відпочинку.

"Do you wish me to shoot first on this trial? "Ви хочете, щоб я стріляв першим на цьому процесі? "Nay," said Rob, "but you are a good fellow by this token, and if I win not, I hope you may keep the prize from yon strutters. "Ні, - сказав Роб, - але ти хороший хлопець, і якщо я не виграю, то сподіваюся, що ти збережеш приз від своїх нахаб.

And he nodded scornfully to the three other archers who were surrounded by their admirers, and were being made much of by retainers of the Sheriff, the Bishop, and the Earl. І він презирливо кивнув трьом іншим лучникам, які були оточені своїми шанувальниками, а також прислужниками шерифа, єпископа і графа. From them his eye wandered toward Maid Marian’s booth. Від них його погляд ковзнув до будки покоївки Маріанни. She had been watching him, it seemed, for their eyes met; then hers were hastily averted. Здавалося, вона дивилася на нього, поки їхні очі не зустрілися, а потім поспішно відвела погляд. "Blinder’s" quick eye followed those of Rob. Швидкий погляд "Сліпого" стежив за поглядом Роба.

"A fair maid, that," he said smilingly, "and one more worthy the golden arrow than the Sheriff’s haughty miss. "Прекрасна служниця, - сказав він, усміхаючись, - і вона більш гідна золотої стріли, ніж гордовита панна шерифа". Rob looked at him swiftly, and saw naught but kindliness in his glance. Роб швидко глянув на нього і не побачив у його погляді нічого, крім доброти.

"You are a shrewd fellow and I like you well," was his only comment. "Ти кмітливий хлопець, і ти мені подобаєшся", - це був його єдиний коментар.

Now the archers prepared to shoot again, each with some little care. Тепер лучники знову готувалися до стрільби, кожен з невеликою обережністю.

The target seemed hardly larger than the inner ring had looked, at the first trial. Під час першого випробування мішень здавалася не набагато більшою, ніж виглядало внутрішнє кільце. The first three sped their shafts, and while they were fair shots they did not more than graze the inner circle. Перші троє розігнали свої вали, і хоча вони влучно стріляли, але не більше, ніж паслися у внутрішньому колі. Rob took his stand with some misgiving. Роб зайняв свою позицію з деяким побоюванням.

Some flecking clouds overhead made the light uncertain, and a handful of wind frolicked across the range in a way quite disturbing to a bowman’s nerves. Деякі хмари над головою робили світло непевним, а жменька вітру гуляла по хребту, неабияк непокоячи нерви стрільця. His eyes wandered for a brief moment to the box wherein sat the dark-eyed girl. Його погляд на коротку мить зупинився на ложі, де сиділа темноока дівчина. His heart leaped! Його серце підскочило! she met his glance and smiled at him reassuringly. And in that moment he felt that she knew him despite his disguise and looked to him to keep the honor of old Sherwood. І в цю мить він відчув, що вона впізнала його, незважаючи на його маскування, і сподівається, що він збереже честь старого Шервуда. He drew his bow firmly and, taking advantage of a momentary lull in the breeze, launched the arrow straight and true-singing across the range to the center of the target. Він міцно натягнув лук і, скориставшись миттєвим затишшям вітру, випустив стрілу прямо і точно, співаючи, через всю дистанцію в центр мішені. "The beggar!

the beggar! a bull! a bull!" yelled the fickle mob, who from jeering him were now his warm friends. кричав мінливий натовп, який з насмішників перетворився на його теплих друзів. "Can you beat that, Blinder? The last archer smiled scornfully and made ready. Останній лучник презирливо посміхнувся і приготувався.

He drew his bow with ease and grace and, without seeming to study the course, released the winged arrow. Він легко і граціозно натягнув лук і, навіть не замислюючись, випустив крилату стрілу. Forward it leaped toward the target, and all eyes followed its flight. Вперед він стрибнув до цілі, і всі погляди стежили за його польотом. A loud uproar broke forth when it alighted, just without the center and grazing the shaft sent by Rob. Гучний галас здійнявся, коли він піднявся в повітря, просто без центру і зачепивши вал, посланий Робом. The stranger made a gesture of surprise when his own eyes announced the result to him, but saw his error. Незнайомець зробив жест здивування, коли його власні очі оголосили йому результат, але побачив свою помилку. He had not allowed for the fickle gust of wind which seized the arrow and carried it to one side. Він не дозволив мінливому пориву вітру підхопити стрілу і віднести її вбік. But for all that he was the first to congratulate the victor. Але попри все він першим привітав переможця. "I hope we may shoot again," quoth he. "Сподіваюся, ми зможемо ще постріляти", - сказав він.

"In truth I care not for the golden bauble and wished to win it in despite of the Sheriff for whom I have no love. "По правді кажучи, я не дбаю про золоту дрібничку і хотів виграти її, незважаючи на шерифа, до якого не маю жодної любові. Now crown the lady of your choice." А тепер коронуйте жінку, яку ви обрали". And turning suddenly he was lost in the crowd, before Rob could utter what it was upon his lips to say, that he would shoot again with him. І раптово повернувшись, він загубився в натовпі, перш ніж Роб встиг вимовити те, що було у нього на вустах, - що він знову буде стріляти разом з ним. And now the herald summoned Rob to the Sheriff’s box to receive the prize. І ось герольд покликав Роба до ложі шерифа, щоб отримати приз.

"You are a curious fellow enough," said the Sheriff, biting his lip coldly; "yet you shoot well. "Ти досить цікавий хлопець, - сказав шериф, холодно прикусивши губу, - але стріляєш добре".

What name go you by? Під яким ім'ям ви працюєте? Marian sat near and was listening intently. Мар'ян сидів поруч і уважно слухав.

"I am called Rob the Stroller, my Lord Sheriff," said the archer. "Мене звуть Роб Візок, мілорде шерифе, - сказав лучник.

Marian leaned back and smiled. Мар'ян відкинувся на спинку крісла і посміхнувся.

"Well, Rob the Stroller, with a little attention to your skin and clothes you would not be so bad a man," said the Sheriff. "Що ж, Робе-Колясочнику, з невеликою увагою до своєї шкіри та одягу ти міг би бути не таким вже й поганим чоловіком", - сказав шериф.

"How like you the idea of entering my service. "Як тобі ідея вступити до мене на службу? "Rob the Stroller has ever been a free man, my Lord, and desires no service. "Роб-візочник завжди був вільною людиною, мілорде, і не бажає ніякої служби.

The Sheriff’s brow darkened, yet for the sake of his daughter and the golden arrow, he dissembled. Брови шерифа насупилися, але заради доньки та золотої стріли він відступив.

"Rob the Stroller," said he, "here is the golden arrow which has been offered to the best of archers this day.

You are awarded the prize. See that you bestow it worthily. Veillez à l'utiliser à bon escient. Переконайтеся, що ви даруєте його гідно. At this point the herald nudged Rob and half inclined his head toward the Sheriff’s daughter, who sat with a thin smile upon her lips. У цей момент герольд штовхнув Роба і наполовину нахилив голову до дочки шерифа, яка сиділа з тонкою посмішкою на вустах.

But Rob heeded him not. Але Роб не прислухався до нього. He took the arrow and strode to the next box where sat Maid Marian. Він взяв стрілу і попрямував до сусідньої ложі, де сиділа служниця Маріанна. "Lady," he said, "pray accept this little pledge from a poor stroller who would devote the best shafts in his quiver to serve you. "Пані, - сказав він, - прийміть, будь ласка, цю маленьку пожертву від бідного візочника, який віддав би найкращі стріли зі свого сагайдака, щоб служити Вам".

"My thanks to you, Rob in the Hood," replied she with a roguish twinkle in her eye; and she placed the gleaming arrow in her hair, while the people shouted, "The Queen!

the Queen! The Sheriff glowered furiously upon this ragged archer who had refused his service, taken his prize without a word of thanks, and snubbed his daughter. Шериф люто подивився на цього обірваного стрільця, який відмовився служити, забрав свою нагороду без жодного слова подяки і зневажив його доньку.

He would have spoken, but his proud daughter restrained him. Він би заговорив, але його стримала горда дочка. He called to his guard and bade them watch the beggar. Він покликав свою охорону і наказав їм стежити за жебраком. But Rob had already turned swiftly, lost himself in the throng, and headed straight for the town gate. Але Роб вже різко повернув, загубився в натовпі і попрямував прямо до міської брами. That same evening within a forest glade a group of men—some twoscore clad in Lincoln green—sat round a fire roasting venison and making merry. Того ж вечора на лісовій галявині група чоловіків - кілька двадцятирічних, одягнених у зелену форму Лінкольна - сиділи біля вогнища, смажили оленину і веселилися.

Suddenly a twig crackled and they sprang to their feet and seized their weapons. Раптом тріснула гілка, вони схопилися на ноги і схопили зброю. "I look for the widow’s sons," a clear voice said, "and I come alone. "Я шукаю синів вдови, - промовив чіткий голос, - і я прийшов один".

Instantly the three men stepped forward.

"Tis Rob! "Це Роб!

they cried; "welcome to Sherwood Forest, Rob!" And all the men came and greeted him; for they had heard his story. Then one of the widow’s sons, Stout Will, stepped forth and said: Тоді один із синів вдови, Стаут Вілл, вийшов вперед і сказав:

"Comrades all, ye know that our band has sadly lacked a leader—one of birth, breeding, and skill. "Товариші, ви знаєте, що нашій групі, на жаль, не вистачало лідера - такого, який би народився, виріс і був майстерним.

Belike we have found that leader in this young man. Схоже, ми знайшли цього лідера в цьому юнакові. And I and my brothers have told him that the band would choose that one who should bring the Sheriff to shame this day and capture his golden arrow. Is it not so? The band gave assent.

Will turned to Rob.

"What news bring you from Nottingham town?" asked he. Rob laughed.

"In truth I brought the Sheriff to shame for mine own pleasure, and won his golden arrow to boot. "По правді кажучи, я присоромив шерифа заради власної втіхи, а на додачу отримав його золоту стрілу. But as to the prize ye must e’en take my word, for I bestowed it upon a maid. Mais pour ce qui est du prix, vous devez me croire sur parole, car je l'ai attribué à une jeune fille. А щодо нагороди, то мусите повірити мені на слово, бо я дав її служниці. And seeing the men stood in doubt at this, he continued: "But I’ll gladly join your band, and you take me, as a common archer. І побачивши, що чоловіки стоять у сумніві, він продовжив: "Але я з радістю приєднаюся до вашого загону, і ви візьмете мене, як звичайного стрільця.

For there are others older and mayhap more skilled than I. Car il y a d'autres personnes plus âgées et peut-être plus compétentes que moi. Бо є інші, старші і, можливо, досвідченіші за мене. Then stepped one forward from the rest, a tall swarthy man.

And Rob recognized him as the man with the green blinder; only this was now removed, and his freed eye gleamed as stoutly as the other one. "Rob in the Hood—for such the lady called you," said he, "I can vouch for your tale. "Розбійник у капюшоні - так тебе назвала пані, - сказав він, - я можу поручитися за твою казку.

You shamed the Sheriff e’en as I had hoped to do; and we can forego the golden arrow since it is in such fair hands. As to your shooting and mine, we must let future days decide. Щодо твоєї та моєї стрілянини, то нехай це вирішать майбутні дні. But here I, Will Stutely, declare that I will serve none other chief save only you. Але тут я, Вілл Стутте, заявляю, що не служитиму жодному іншому вождю, окрім вас. Then good Will Stutely told the outlaws of Rob’s deeds, and gave him his hand of fealty.

And the widow’s sons did likewise, and the other members every one, right gladly; because Will Stutely had heretofore been the truest bow in all the company. І сини вдови зробили те саме, і всі інші члени товариства, всі з радістю, бо Вілл Стутте до цього часу був найвірнішим уклоном у всьому товаристві. And they toasted him in nut brown ale, and hailed him as their leader, by the name of Robin Hood. And he accepted that name because Maid Marian had said it. By the light of the camp-fire the band exchanged signs and passwords. При світлі багаття група обмінялася значками та паролями.

They gave Robin Hood a horn upon which he was to blow to summon them. Вони дали Робіну Гуду ріг, в який він повинен був засурмити, щоб покликати їх. They swore, also, that while they might take money and goods from the unjust rich, they would aid and befriend the poor and the helpless; and that they would harm no woman, be she maid, wife, or widow. Sie schworen auch, dass sie zwar Geld und Güter von den ungerechten Reichen nehmen, aber den Armen und Hilflosen helfen und ihnen beistehen würden, und dass sie keiner Frau, sei sie Magd, Frau oder Witwe, etwas zuleide tun würden. Вони також присягнулися, що, хоч і братимуть гроші та майно від несправедливих багатіїв, але допомагатимуть і приятелюватимуть з бідними та безпорадними; і що не скривдять жодної жінки, чи то служниці, чи то дружини, чи то вдовиці. They swore all this with solemn oaths, while they feasted about the ruddy blaze, under the greenwood tree. Ils jurèrent tout cela avec solennité, tandis qu'ils festoyaient autour de la flamme rougeoyante, sous l'arbre de bois vert. Вони присягалися в цьому урочистими клятвами, поки бенкетували біля рум'яного полум'я під зеленим деревом. And that is how Robin Hood became an outlaw.