Robin waded to shore, and the friar, half swimming and
half scrambling, followed.
"Fine fellow, fine fellow," said the friar, "now will I pay thee
thy cracked sconce."
"Not so," said Robin, "I have not earned it: but thou hast earned it,
and shalt have it."
It was not, even in those good old times, a sight of every day
to see a troubadour and a friar playing at single-stick by the side
of a river, each aiming with fell intent at the other's coxcomb.
The parties were both so skilled in attack and defence, that their
mutual efforts for a long time expended themselves in quick
and loud rappings on each other's oaken staves. At length Robin
by a dexterous feint contrived to score one on the friar's crown:
but in the careless moment of triumph a splendid sweep of the friar's
staff struck Robin's out of his hand into the middle of the river,
and repaid his crack on the head with a degree of vigour that might
have passed the bounds of a jest if Marian had not retarded its
descent by catching the friar's arm.
"How now, recreant friar," said Marian; "what have you
to say why you should not suffer instant execution,
being detected in open rebellion against your liege lord?
Therefore kneel down, traitor, and submit your neck to the sword
of the offended law."
"Benefit of clergy," said the friar: "I plead my clergy.
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