After dinner, the king said to Robin, “What would you give, my brave fellow, if I could get your pardon from the king? Would you set your mind firmly in every thing to be a true and useful subject?”
This was the very thing that Robin wanted; it was the wish that had haunted his thoughts night and day: it was with the hope of this that he made the rich present to Queen Eleanor.
“My friend,” said Robin, “I am tired of the lawless life that I lead: I never loved it. Other men may praise my bold adventures and generous actions; but I hate my way of living, and every thing that belongs to it. King Richard is a noble prince and a gallant soldier; and, if he would take me into his favour, he should never have reason to repent it, but should find me the most faithful and loving of all his subjects.”
“I am King Richard,” said the stranger: and, when he had said this, Robin and all his company fell upon their knees before him.
“Stand up, my brave fellows,” said the king; “you have been robbers, and you ought not to have been such. The greatest miser in my kingdom ought not to be treated with force, but to be persuaded to dispose of his money properly. But you are brave fellows; you say that you are well inclined, and you have power and skill to do me service. I freely grant to every one of you my pardon. Not one of you shall be called to account for any thing that is past; only take care that you behave yourselves in such a manner in future, that I never may have reason to repent the kindness that I now treat you with.”
THE END.
KING RICHARD discovering himself to Robin and his company.
see [page 32].