Black Arrow, The
The, a tale of the War of the Roses, a story of adventure by Robert Louis Stevenson, published in 1888. The tale is one of Stevenson's best. Sir Daniel Brackley, who shifts from one civil faction to another, as he may fancy is for his interest, compassed the death of his brother and held the guardianship of his young nephew Dick, that he might enjoy the lad's estate. The plot is one of greenwood, crossbow, and maiden-rescued-at-the-altar, quite in Robin Hood style. John Amend-All plays the part of Robin Hood. He and his men have a liking for young Dick, and an especial aversion for Sir Daniel and his followers. The retainers of Sir Daniel muster at the lichgate to march under his banner. They find a note pinned to the church door from which the tenor of the tale may be inferred:
Four for the greefs that I have felt,
Four for the nomber of ill menne
That have oppressid me now and then.
One is gone; one is wele sped;
Old Apulyaird is ded.
One is for Maister Bennet Hatch,
That burned Grimstone, walls and thatch.
One for Sir Oliver Oates,
That cut Sir Harry Shelton's throat.
Sir Daniel, ye shull have the fourt;
We shall think it fair sport.
Ye shull each have your own part,
A blak arrow in each blak heart.
Get ye to your knees for to pray:
Ye are ded theeves, by yea and nay!
Jon Amend-All
of the Green Wood
And his jolly fellaweship.
Item, we have mo arrowes and goode hempen cord for otheres of your following.
See Stevenson; Robert Louis