"Thus you see," added the sheriff, "how this villain perverts
the deluded people by making them believe that those who tithe
and toll upon them for their spiritual and temporal benefit are not
their best friends and fatherly guardians; for he holds that in
giving to boors and old women what he takes from priests and peers,
he does but restore to the former what the latter had taken from them;
and this the impudent varlet calls distributive justice.
Judge now if any loyal subject can be safe in such neighbourhood."
While the sheriff was thus enlightening his companion concerning
the offenders, and whetting his own indignation against them,
the sun was fast sinking to the west. They rode on till they
came in view of a bridge, which they saw a party approaching
from the opposite side, and the knight presently discovered
that the party consisted of the lady Matilda and friar Michael,
young Gamwell, cousin Robin, and about half-a-dozen foresters.
The knight pointed out the earl to the sheriff, who exclaimed,
"Here, then, we have him an easy prey;" and they rode on manfully
towards the bridge, on which the other party made halt.
"Who be these," said the friar, "that come riding so fast this way?
Now, as God shall judge me, it is that false knight Sir Ralph Montfaucon,
and the sheriff of Nottingham, with a posse of men.
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