"And now, brother," quoth Robin, turning where Jocelyn stood smiling and
merry-eyed, "what o' this armour dost seek, and wherefore?"
"Art a lovely robber, Robin," said he; "a very various rogue, yet no rogue
born, methinks!"
"I was not always outlaw, brother--howbeit, what would a Fool with horse
and knightly arms?"
Now Jocelyn, bending close, whispered somewhatin Robin's ear, whereon he
clapped hand to thigh, and laughed and laughed until the air rang again.
"Oho, a jape--a jape indeed!" he roared. "O lovely brother, to see proud
knight unhorsed by prancing motley Fool! Hey, how my heart doth jump for
gladness! An thou wilt a-tilting ride, I will squire thee--a Fool of a
knight tended by Rogue of a squire. O, rare--aha! oho! Come thy ways, sweet
brother, and let us set about this joyous jape forthwith!"
And thus it was that, as evening fell, there rode, through bowery bracken
and grassy glade, two horsemen full blithe and merry, and the setting sun
flashed back in glory from their glittering armour.
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