, 1878-03-08
Robin Hoods Miracle.

Fair, fair was the forest Of Sherwood
in the days of Robin Hood long were
the summers that garmented the forestG
with green, and bright were the autumns
that Drowned the thickets and coverts
from which the merry hunters, clad in
Lincolu-green, started the deer. The
silver horns Of Robin Hoods merry men
divided in the morning, and their notes
were lost in the great deep forests, but
they blended again st evening, echolng
at first from afar and then drawing near,
Then merry were the tales of the
hunters, as the red moon rose in the dus-
ky shadows, and poured her light over
the forest like silver sea.
Robin Hood performed most won
derful miracle in his day.
Perhaps, though you may not think
it so wonderful after all.
We will tell it to you, as a very old
ballad told it to US.
One day, Robin, being in merry
mood, took it into his head to go into
the kings highway in the disguise Of a
friar. He put on hood, gown, crucifix,
and beads, and walked off slowly, look
ing very demure and woe-begone.
He had not gone far, when he met
two lusty priests, clad all in black, and
riding gallantly along.
"Benedicte" he said. "Have pity on
a poor friar, who has been wandering
since morning, without meat or drink.
"In the name of the virgin" said
one of the priests, "we can not help thee.
We've been robbed, and haven't penny
to help ourselves"
Robin laid hold of the priests robes,
and drew him from the horse. Robin
was SO stout man that the priest could
not resist, and when he commanded the
other priest to dismount, he dared not
disobey him.
"You say you have no money" said
Robin. "Neither have l."
"You know how to pray9" said Robin.
"Yes," said the priests.
"Then let us all fall on our knees, we
three together, and for money we will
pray earnestly, and we will see what
Heaven will send"
The priests knelt down.
"Now, pray" said Robin.
They prayed very dolefully. At last
they began to weep and wiring their
hands. Then Robin began to dance.
The priests prayers became more
doeful than ever. But Robin said
"Pray Pray!"
They prayed very long time.
"Now put your hands into your pock-
cts, and see if you have resolved an an
swer to your prayers"
The first priest felt in his pockets, then
rolled up his eyes very solemnly and
said
"Nothing."
"Let me feel" said Robin.
The priests now looked more troubled
than ever.
Robin searched the pockets of one,
and drew forth a purse heavy with gold.
"What an answer to prayers ~
said Robin, and he searched the other,
and found another purse.
The two priests were struck dumb
what could they say1 If they had spok-
en- truly at first, here indeed was q mira
Gle The old ballad says they "sighed
W0ndrous heaVy.'
"You have prayed WELL" said Robin,
encouragingly, seeing their detected
looks. "Here are five hundred pounds
Now we will divide it,"
And divide it he did. He gave each
priest fifty pounds for praying so well,
and kept the rest himself. But the two
priests did not seem very much pleased
with Robins division and liberal present,
but rode away looking more woeful than
ever.
always speak the TRUTH" said Robin
to the two priests, as they departed; and
we have a sort of suspicion that if they
had spoken the truth about their money
to the bold outlaw, as good priests ought,
the miracle would not have been so
great,-H. II. Butterworth, in Wide
AWdke.