第84章

Atthesewords，pronouncedinatoneofmajestysuitedtothehighrank，andnolessdistinguishedcharacterofCur-de-Lion，theyeomenatoncekneeleddownbeforehim，andatthesametimetenderedtheirallegiance，andimploredpardonfortheiroffences。

``Rise，myfriends，’’saidRichard，inagracioustone，lookingonthemwithacountenanceinwhichhishabitualgood-humourhadalreadyconqueredtheblazeofhastyresentment，andwhosefeaturesretainednomarkofthelatedesperateconflict，exceptingtheflusharisingfromexertion，——``Arise，’’

hesaid，``myfriends！——Yourmisdemeanours，whetherinforestorfield，havebeenatonedbytheloyalservicesyourenderedmydistressedsubjectsbeforethewallsofTorquilstone，andtherescueyouhavethisdayaffordedtoyoursovereign。Arise，myliegemen，andbegoodsubjectsinfuture——Andthou，braveLocksley——’’

``CallmenolongerLocksley，myLiege，butknowmeunderthename，which，Ifear，famehathblowntoowidelynottohavereachedevenyourroyalears——IamRobinHoodofSherwoodForest。’’*

*FromtheballadsofRobinHood，welearnthatthiscelebrated*outlaw，whenindisguise，sometimesassumedthenameof*Locksley，fromavillagewherehewasborn，butwheresituated*wearenotdistinctlytold。

``KingofOutlaws，andPrinceofgoodfellows！’’

saidtheKing，``whohathnotheardanamethathasbeenborneasfarasPalestine?Butbeassured，braveOutlaw，thatnodeeddoneinourabsence，andintheturbulenttimestowhichithathgivenrise，shallberememberedtothydisadvantage。’’

``Truesaystheproverb，’’saidWamba，interposinghisword，butwithsomeabatementofhisusualpetulance，——

`Whenthecatisaway，Themicewillplay。’’’

``What，Wamba，artthouthere?’’saidRichard；

``Ihavebeensolongofhearingthyvoice，Ithoughtthouhadsttakenflight。’’

``Itakeflight！’’saidWamba；``whendoyoueverfindFollyseparatedfromValour?Thereliesthetrophyofmysword，thatgoodgreygelding，whomIheartilywishuponhislegsagain，conditioninghismasterlaytherehoughedinhisplace。

Itistrue，Igavealittlegroundatfirst，foramotleyjacketdoesnotbrooklance-heads，asasteeldoubletwill。ButifIfoughtnotatsword’spoint，youwillgrantmethatIsoundedtheonset。’’

``Andtogoodpurpose，honestWamba，’’repliedtheKing。``Thygoodserviceshallnotbeforgotten。’’

``_Confiteor！Confiteor！_’’——exclaimed，inasubmissivetone，avoiceneartheKing’sside——``myLatinwillcarrymenofarther——butIconfessmydeadlytreason，andprayleavetohaveabsolutionbeforeIamledtoexecution！’’

Richardlookedaround，andbeheldthejovialFriaronhisknees，tellinghisrosary，whilehisquarter-staff，whichhadnotbeenidleduringtheskirmish，layonthegrassbesidehim。Hiscountenancewasgatheredsoasbethoughtmightbestexpressthemostprofoundcontrition，hiseyesbeingturnedup，andthecornersofhismouthdrawndown，asWambaexpressedit，likethetasselsatthemouthofapurse。Yetthisdemureaffectationofextremepenitencewaswhimsicallybeliedbyaludicrousmeaningwhichlurkedinhishugefeatures，andseemedtopronouncehisfearandrepentancealikehypocritical。

``Forwhatartthoucastdown，madPriest?’’

saidRichard；``artthouafraidthydiocesanshouldlearnhowtrulythoudostserveOurLadyandSaintDunstan?——Tush，man！fearitnot；RichardofEnglandbetraysnosecretsthatpassovertheflagon。’’

``Nay，mostgracioussovereign，’’answeredtheHermit，(wellknowntothecuriousinpe