The girl looked alternately at her father and Robin.
She attempted to speak, but her voice failed in the effort, and she burst into tears.
"Here is lawful cause and just impediment," said Robin, "and I forbid the banns." "Who are you, villain ?" said the old knight, stamping his sound foot with rage.
"I am the Roman law," said Robin, "which says that there shall not be more than ten years between a man and his wife; and here are five times ten: and so says the law of nature." "Honest harper," said the bishop, "you are somewhat over-officious here, and less courtly than I deemed you.

If you love sack, forbear; for this course will never bring you a drop.

As to your Roman law, and your law of nature, what right have they to say any thing which the law of Holy Writ says not ?" "The law of Holy Writ does say it," said Robin; "I expound it so to say; and I will produce sixty commentators to establish my exposition." And so saying, he produced a horn from beneath his cloak, and blew three blasts, and threescore bowmen in green came leaping from the bushes and trees; and young Allen was the first among them to give Robin his sword, while Friar Tuck and Little John marched up to the altar.

Robin stripped the bishop and clerk of their robes, and put them on the friar and Little John; and Allen advanced to take the hand of the bride.

Her cheeks grew red and her eyes grew bright, as she locked her hand in her lover's, and tripped lightly with him into the church.
"This marriage will not stand," said the bishop, "for they have not been thrice asked in church." "We will ask them seven times," said Little John, "lest three should not suffice." "And in the meantime," said Robin, "the knight and the bishop shall dance to my harping." So Robin sat in the church porch and played away merrily, while his foresters formed a ring, in the centre of which the knight and bishop danced with exemplary alacrity; and if they relaxed their exertions, Scarlet gently touched them up with the point of an arrow.
The knight grimaced ruefully, and begged Robin to think of his gout.
"So I do," said Robin; "this is the true antipodagron: you shall dance the gout away, and be thankful to me while you live.