Chapter FiveRobin Hood marries Marian
One day in autumn, Little John and two Merry Men were watching the road that ran through Sherwood. They were hoping for a rich knight or fat priest to come by so that they could rob him.1 Soon, they saw a knight riding very slowly down the road.
Little John and Will noticed that the knight seemed to be very sad.2 Little John walked toward the knight.
When he got close, he respectfully said, “My master expects you to dine with him today, good knight.”3
In a sad voice, the knight said, “Who is your master?”
“It is Robin Hood,” said Little John, as he took hold of the horse’s bridle.
Key Words
marry (v): kết hôn, cưới
watch (v): quan sát
run through (v): chạy xuyên qua (run - ran - run)
knight (n): hiệp sĩ
priest (n): cha xứ, linh mục
notice (v): để ý
seem (v): dường như
respectfully (adv): một cách kính cẩn
expect A to: mong, trông chờ A làm gì
dine (v): dùng bữa
take hold of (v): cầm, giữ
Key Sentences
1 They were hoping for a rich knight or fat priest to come by so that they could rob him.
2 Little John and Will noticed that the knight seemed to be very sad.
3 When he got close, he respectfully said, “My master expects you to dine with him today, good knight.”
Seeing this, the knight shrugged carelessly.1
“It does not matter,” he said. “Lead me to your master.”
When they arrived at their camp, Robin Hood jumped up.
“Welcome, Sir Knight,” he said. “We were just about to sit down for supper. Please join us.”
The knight slowly got off his horse. He took off his armor and helmet. As he did so, Robin suddenly recognized him.2
“Sir Richard of Lea! Is that you?” asked Robin. He recognized the father of his childhood friend, Maid Marian.
“Yes, that is my name,” said the knight. “How do you know me?”
“Sir, I am Rob of Lockesley,” said Robin. “As a boy, my cousin and I played with your daughter, Marian.”3
Check up
From the text, find the word with the following definition.
To know who someone is because you have seen or heard about him/her before: _________
Key Words
shrug (v): nhún vai
(shrug - shrugged - shrugged)
carelessly (adv): thiếu thận trọng
it doesn’t matter: không có vần đề gì, không sao
supper (n): bữa ăn khuya
get off (v): xuống (ngựa)
(get - got - got)
take off (v): bỏ (mũ) ra,
cởi (quần áo) ra
armor (n): áo giáp
helmet (n): mũ sắt
cousin (n): anh em họ
Key Sentences
1 Seeing this, the knight shrugged carelessly.
2 As he did so, Robin suddenly recognized him.
3 As a boy, my cousin and I played with your daughter, Marian.
“Oh yes,” replied the knight. “You have grown. I would have never recognized you. It seems your fortune has grown, while mine has disappeared.”1
“What troubles you, Sir Richard?” said Robin. “Please tell us your story over a good meal and wine.”
Sir Richard told Robin about how he had left England to fight with the King in a war.2 While he was gone, his only son grew up and became addicted to gambling.
Soon he had gambled away most of the family’s money. Once he could not pay his debt, another knight killed him.3 When Sir Richard returned, he had to borrow some money to find his son’s killer.
Check up
What is not true about Sir Richard?
a. He went to war with the King.
b. His son spent all his family’s money on gambling.
c. He borrowed money to revive his family.
Key Words & Sentences
grow (v): lớn lên
(grow - grew - grown)
fortune (n): vận may
trouble (v): làm lo lắng, gây rắc rối
addicted to (adj): nghiện, say mê
gambling (n): trò cờ bạc
→ gamble away (v): đánh bạc đến nỗi sạt nghiệp
once (adv): chỉ một lần
debt (n): nợ nần
borrow (v): mượn
killer (n): kẻ giết người
1 It seems your fortune has grown, while mine has disappeared.
2 Sir Richard told Robin about how he had left England to fight with the King in a war.
3 Once he could not pay his debt, another knight killed him.
“Unfortunately, I borrowed from the Bishop of Hereford,” said the knight. “He charged high interest, and I could not pay it.1 I had to borrow against my land and my castle. Now I am on my way to ask the Bishop for more time to pay back the loan.2 But I am afraid he will refuse. He is greedy, and I know he wants my land even though he already has more than enough of his own.”3
“That is true,” said Robin. “The Bishop is not a man of God. He only serves his own greedy purposes. How much do you owe him?”
“Four hundred gold pieces,” replied the knight.
“Well, Sir Richard, this is your lucky day,” said Robin. “I will loan you four hundred gold pieces, and I will charge no interest.”
Key Words
unfortunately (adv): không may
bishop (n): giám mục
charge (v): tính giá, đòi trả tiền
interest (n): tiền lãi
borrow A against: đi vay A để đổi lấy...
castle (n): lâu đài
pay back (v): trả nợ
(pay - paid - paid)
loan (n): tiền cho vay
refuse (v): từ chối
even though (adv): dù là
owe (v): nợ
1 He charged high interest, and I could not pay it.
2 Now I am on my way to ask the Bishop for more time to pay back the loan.
3 He is greedy, and I know he wants my land even though he already has more than enough of his own.
Key Sentences
Sir Richard looked as if Robin had just saved his life.1 “How can you be so generous?”
“It is my business to aid the poor and steal from the rich,”2 said Robin. “Little John and my men thought you were a rich knight, so they brought you here.3 But you need our help instead, and we offer it gladly.”
The knight looked like a new man. The food, the wine, and now Robin’s offer had restored his spirits.
“Thank you, Robin,” he said. “On my honor, I will pay you back within a year. And if you ever come to my castle, I will treat you and your men to a wonderful feast.4 You may always count on me as a friend.”
Then Sir Richard left, and he paid the Bishop back the loan. He kept his castle and his land.
Check up
Based on the story, write down “T” if true or “F” if false.
a. Robin wanted Sir Richard to pay back within a year. ____
b. Robin helped Sir Richard meet Marian. ____
Key Words & Sentences
save (v): cứu sống
life (n): mạng sống
business (n): nhiệm vụ
aid (v): giúp đỡ
look like: trông như
restore (v): hồi phục
spirit (n): tinh thần
on one’s honor: (thề) trên danh dự ai đó
treat A to B: chiêu đãi A với B
count on (v): coi như, coi là
keep (v): giữ được
(keep - kept - kept)
1 Sir Richard looked as if Robin had just saved his life.
2 It is my business to aid the poor and steal from the rich.
3 Little John and my men thought you were a rich knight, so they brought you here.
4 And if you ever come to my castle, I will treat you and your men to a wonderful feast.
After a year passed, Sir Richard returned to Sherwood Forest to see Robin Hood. With him was his daughter, Marian. Sir Richard was true to his word, and he gave Robin Hood back all the gold he had borrowed.
Robin and Marian renewed their friendship. Marian had kept the golden arrow Robin won for her.1 It was her most valuable possession. They walked and hunted together under the trees of Sherwood. When it came time for Marian and her father to leave, Robin shyly asked Marian to stay in Sherwood as his wife.2
“Oh, Robin, I love you also,” said Marian. “But my father is getting old and weak. I must take care of him during the cold winter at our castle.”
Check up
What is not true about the story?
a. Marian gave the golden arrow back to Robin.
b. Marian enjoyed hunting in Sherwood with Robin.
c. Marian loved Robin, but she couldn’t leave her father.
Key Words & Sentences
be true to: giữ đúng, thật
one’s word: lời nói của ai
renew (v): nối lại (sau một thời gian gián đoạn)
friendship (n): tình bạn
valuable (adj): quý giá
possession (n): tài sản
shyly (adv): nhút nhát
weak (adj): yếu
1 Marian had kept the golden arrow Robin won for her.
2 When it came time for Marian and her father to leave, Robin shyly asked Marian to stay in Sherwood as his wife.
“You and your father can spend the winters in the castle and the warmer months with me and my Merry Men in Sherwood,”1Robin said.
Marian agreed. The happy couple asked permission from Sir Richard to wed. At first, he was unsure because Robin was an outlaw, but he relented. He could see how much they loved one another.
At last, Robin felt as if much of his former life was restored.2 He had revenge on his enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham. He was the master of Sherwood. And with Marian as his wife, he could start a new family. He and his Merry Men had many adventures. They became the most famous and well-liked (at least by the common people) outlaws in England.3
Key Words
permission (n): sự cho phép
wed (v): kết hôn
(wed - wedded - wedded)
unsure (adj): thiếu tự tin
relent (v): dịu lại, thông cảm
former (adj): trước kia, cũ
restore (v): khôi phục lại
have revenge on: trả thù ai đó
adventure (n): cuộc phiêu lưu
well-liked (adj): được yêu thích
at least: chí ít, ít nhất
Key Sentences
1 You and your father can spend the winters in the castle and the warmer months with me and my Merry Men in Sherwood.
2 At last, Robin felt as if much of his former life was restored.
3 They became the most famous and well-liked (at least by the common people) outlaws in England.
Comprehension Quiz
A. Complete the sentences with the verbs in the past tense.
owe - loan - borrow - renew - return
1. Robin Hood ____________ Sir Richard a lot of gold.
2. Sir Richard ____________ the Bishop of Hereford 400 gold pieces.
3. Sir Richard ____________ 400 gold pieces from the Bishop of Hereford.
4. Robin Hood and Marian ____________ their friendship.
5. Sir Richard ____________ all the money he borrowed from Robin Hood.
B. Connect the beginning and the end of the sentences.
1. When the knight • • a. his son became removed his helmet, addicted to gambling.
2. The knight let • • b. restored Sir Richard’s Little John spirits.
3. While Sir Richard was gone, • • c. Marian cared for her father in their castle.
4. Robin Hood’s generosity had • • d. guide his horse through the woods.
5. During the winter,•• Robin suddenly recognized him.
C. Choose the correct answers to the questions.
1. How did Robin Hood know Sir Richard?
(a) Sir Richard was a friend of Robin Hood’s father.
(b) Sir Richard was the new King of England.
(c) Sir Richard was the father of Robin Hood’s childhood friend.
2. How did Sir Richard become poor?
(a) He borrowed money from the Sheriff of Nottingham.
(b) His son gambled away the family fortune.
(c) He lent all his money to the Bishop of Hereford.
D. Put the sentences in order.
1. Little John met a sad knight.
2. Robin Hood welcomed Sir Richard to his camp.
3. Sir Richard looked for his son’s killer.
4. Sir Richard paid back the loan from the Bishop of Hereford.
5. Robin Hood and Marian married.