English Original
Because of the harsh rule of William the Conqueror and his successors, many Englishmen exiled themselves to the greenwood. These men were called "outlaws." Driven first by a love for England's ancient liberties, they later lived outside the law by their means of survival. Among them, none were more famous than Robin Hood and his band.
Little is known of Robin Hood's origins or crimes. Though an outlaw who could be slain with impunity, he was beloved by the poor as their friend. Many stout fellows joined him, living a merry life in the forest, sleeping on moss and fern, and dining on the King's deer—a crime punishable by death. He took no toll from tillers, yeomen, or knights, but wealthy churchmen and proud bishops with their richly dressed followers trembled when nearing Sherwood Forest, never knowing if Robin or his men lurked behind every tree.
One day, Robin encountered a stranger on a narrow bridge over a river. When Robin demanded passage, the stranger refused. Robin drew his bow, but ashamed when the stranger scorned his unarmed state, he laid it aside and fought the stranger with an oaken staff. They fought until the stranger struck a blow that sent Robin tumbling into the river.
Wading ashore, Robin praised the stranger's bravery and summoned his fifty green-clad men with his horn. When his men asked if he had fallen in, Robin admitted the stranger had bested him. The foresters seized the stranger to duck him, but Robin stopped them and invited him to join their band. The stranger agreed, giving his name as John Little.
Will Scarlett declared that a feast should be held and, because the man was over seven feet tall, they should call him "Little John." At the feast, Little John asked Robin about their way of life: whose goods to take, whom to beat. Robin instructed him to harm no tiller, yeoman, knight, or squire unless ill-spoken of, but to spoil any bishop or archbishop, and always remember the High Sheriff of Nottingham.
With this settled, Robin declared Little John second in command. The new outlaw never forgot to keep the High Sheriff of Nottingham, the foresters' bitterest enemy, in mind.
中文翻译
由于征服者威廉及其几代继任者对英格兰人民的严酷统治，许多英国人自我放逐，隐居绿林。这些人被称为“法外之徒”。起初，他们出于对英格兰古老自由的热爱而离去。后来，在森林中的生活以及他们的谋生方式，使他们置身于法律之外。这些人中，最负盛名的莫过于罗宾汉及其伙伴。
人们对罗宾汉的出身或所犯罪行知之甚少。尽管他是一个可以被随意杀死而无需受罚的法外之徒，但他却被穷人视为朋友而深受爱戴。许多壮汉前来投奔他，在森林中过着快乐的生活，以苔藓蕨类为床，以国王的鹿肉为食——猎杀鹿是死罪。他不向耕农、自耕农或骑士索取钱财，但腰缠万贯的教会显贵和骄傲的主教们，带着衣着华丽的随从靠近舍伍德森林时，无不胆战心惊，因为他们不知道罗宾汉或其手下是否就潜伏在每一棵树后。
一天，罗宾汉在河上一座狭窄的独木桥遇到一位陌生人。罗宾汉要求对方让路，却遭到拒绝。罗宾汉张弓搭箭，但当陌生人讥讽他攻击一个只有木棍防身的人时，他羞愧地放下弓箭，解下身边的橡木棍与陌生人决斗。他们一直打到陌生人一击将罗宾汉打落河中。
罗宾汉涉水上岸，称赞陌生人的勇敢，并用号角召来了他五十名身着绿衣的手下。手下问他是否掉进了河里，罗宾汉承认被陌生人打败了。绿林好汉们抓住陌生人要把他按进水里，但罗宾汉制止了他们，并邀请陌生人加入。陌生人同意了，并告知其名为约翰·利特尔。
威尔·斯卡利特提议举办一场宴会，并因为此人身高七英尺有余，腰围至少一厄尔（约45英寸），应称他为“小约翰”。宴会上，小约翰向罗宾汉询问他们的生活方式：该取谁的财物，该打谁。罗宾汉指示他不得伤害任何耕农、自耕农、骑士或乡绅（除非听闻其恶名），但若遇到主教或大主教，务必劫掠他们，并且要时刻牢记诺丁汉郡长。
此事既定，罗宾汉宣布小约翰为森林兄弟会的二把手。这位新法外之徒从未忘记要将绿林好汉们最痛恨的敌人——诺丁汉郡长——牢记在心。