Scene I.Morning. Sherwood Forest (as before).Little Johnand some of theOutlawsare gathered together talking. Occasionally they look anxiously toward the cave and at the approaches through the wood. Enter twoForesters, running and breathless.
FIRST FORESTERThe King's men! They are scouring thro' the wood,Two troops of them, five hundred men in eachAnd more are following.SECOND FORESTERWe must away from hereAnd quickly.LITTLE JOHNWhere did you sight them?SECOND FORESTERFrom the old elm,Our watch-tower. They were not five miles away!FIRST FORESTERFive, about five. We saw the sunlight flashAlong, at least five hundred men at arms;And, to the north, along another line,Bigger, I think; but not so near.SECOND FORESTERWhere's Robin?We must away at once!FIRST FORESTERNo time to lose!LITTLE JOHNHis wound is bitter—I know not if we dareMove him!FIRST FORESTERHis wound?LITTLE JOHNAy, some damned arrow pierced himWhen he escaped last night from the Dark Tower.He never spoke of it when first he reached us;And, suddenly, he swooned. He is asleepNow. He must not be wakened. They will takeSome time yet ere they thread our forest-maze.FIRST FORESTERNot long, by God, not long. They are moving fast.[Marianappears at the mouth of the cave. All turn to look at her, expectantly. She seems in distress.]MARIANHe is tossing to and fro. I think his woundHas taken fever! What can we do?FRIAR TUCKI've sentA messenger to Kirklee Priory,Where my old friend the Prioress hath storeOf balms and simples, and hath often helpedA wounded forester. Could we take him there,Her skill would quickly heal him.LITTLE JOHNThe time is pressing!FRIAR TUCKThe lad will not be long![Robinappears tottering and white at the mouth of the cave.]MARIAN[Running to him.]O Robin, Robin,You must not rise! Your wound!ROBIN[He speaks feverishly.]Where can I restBetter than on my greenwood throne of turf?Friar, I heard them say they had some prisoners.Bring them before me.FRIAR TUCKMaster, you are fevered,And they can wait.ROBINYes, yes; but there are someThat cannot wait, that die for want of food,And then—the Norman gold will come too late,Too late.LITTLE JOHNO master, you must rest.[Going up to him.]MARIANOh, help me,Help me with him. Help me to lead him back.ROBINNo! No! You must not touch me! I will restWhen I have seen the prisoners, not before.LITTLE JOHNHe means it, mistress, better humour himOr he will break his wound afresh.MARIANO Robin,Give me your word that you'll go back and rest,When you have seen them.ROBINYes, I will try, I will try!But oh, the sunlight! Where better, sweet, than this?[She leads him to the throne of turf and he sits down upon it, withMarianat his side.]The Friar is right. This life is wine, red wine,Under the greenwood boughs! Oh, still to keep it,One little glen of justice in the midstOf multitudinous wrong. Who knows? We yetMay leaven the whole world.[Enter the Outlaws, with several prisoners, among them, aKnight, anAbbot, and aForester.]Those are the prisoners?You had some victims of the forest lawsThat came to you for help. Bring them in, too,And set them over against these lords of the earth![Some ragged women and children appear. Several serfs with iron collars round their necks and their eyes put out, are led gently in.]Is that our Lincoln green among the prisoners?There? One of my own band?LITTLE JOHNAy, more's the pity!We took him out of pity, and he has wrongedOur honour, sir; he has wronged a helpless womanEntrusted to his guidance thro' the forest.ROBINEver the same, the danger comes from thoseWe fight for, those below, not those above!Which of you will betray me to the King?THE FORESTERDo you askme, sir?ROBINJudas answered first,With "Master, is it I?" Hang not thy head!What say'st thou to this charge?THE FORESTERWhy, Friar TuckCan answer for me. Do you think he caresLess for a woman's lips than I?FRIAR TUCKCares less,Thou rotten radish? Nay, but a vast deal more!God's three best gifts to man,—woman and songAnd wine, what dostthouknow of all their joy?Thou lean pick-purse of kisses?ROBINTake him out,Friar, and let him pack his goods and go,Whither he will. I trust the knave to theeAnd thy good quarter-staff, for some five minutesBefore he says "Farewell."FRIARBring him along,Give him a quarter-staff, I'll thrash him roundly.[He goes out. Two of theForestersfollow with the prisoner. Others bring theAbbotbeforeRobin.]ROBINAh! Ha! I know him, the godly usurerOf York!LITTLE JOHNWe saw a woman beg for alms,One of the sufferers by the rule which gaveThis portly Norman his fat prioryAnd his abundant lands. We heard him sayThat he was helpless, had not one poor coinTo give her, not a scrap of bread! He wearsPurple beneath his cloak: his fine sleek palfreyFlaunted an Emperor's trappings!ABBOTMan, the ChurchMust keep her dignity!ROBIN[Pointing to the poor woman, etc.]Ay, look at it!There is your dignity! And you must wearSilk next your skin to show it. But there was oneYou call your Master, and He had not whereTo lay His head, save one of these same trees!ABBOTDo you blaspheme! I pray you, let me go!There are grave matters waiting. I am poor!ROBINLook in his purse and see.ABBOT[Hurriedly.]I have five marksIn all the world, no more. I'll give them to you!ROBINLook in his purse and see.[They pour a heap of gold out of his purse.]ROBINFive marks, Indeed!Here's, at the least, a hundred marks in gold!ABBOTThat is my fees, my fees; you must not take them!ROBINThe ancient miracle!—five loaves, two small fishes;And then—of what remained—they gathered upTwelve basketsful!ABBOTOh, you blaspheming villains!ROBINAbbot, I chance to know how this was wrought,This miracle; wrought with the blood, anguish and sweatOf toiling peasants, while the cobwebs clusteredAround your lordly cellars of red wine.Give him his five and let him go.ABBOT[Going out.]The KingShall hear of this! The King will hunt you down!ROBINAnd now—the next!SCARLETBeseech you, sir, to rest,Your wound will—ROBINNo! The next, show me the next!SCARLETThis Norman baron—ROBINWhat, another friend!Another master of broad territories.How many homes were burned to make you lordOf half a shire? What hath he in his purse?SCARLETGold and to spare!BARONTo keep up mine estateI need much more.ROBIN[Pointing to the poor.]Ay, you need these! these! these!BARON[Protesting.]I am not rich.ROBINLook in his purse and see.BARONYou dogs, the King shall hear of it!ROBIN[Murmuring as if to himself.]Five loaves!And yet, of what remained, they gathered upTwelve basketsful. The bread of human kindnessGoes far! Oh, I begin to see new meaningsIn that old miracle! How much? How much?SCARLETFive hundred marks in gold!ROBIN[Half rising and speaking with a sudden passion.]His churls are starving,Starving! Their little children cry for bread!One of those jewels on his baldric thereWould feed them all in plenty all their lives!Five loaves—and yet—and yet—of what remained,The fragments, mark you, twelve great basketsful!BARONI am in a madman's power! The man is mad!ROBINTake all he has, all you can get. To-night,When all is dark (we must have darkness, mind,For deeds like this) blind creatures will creep outWith groping hands and gaping mouths, lean arms,And shrivelled bodies, branded, fettered, lame,Distorted, horrible; and they will weepGreat tears like gouts of blood upon our feet,And we shall succour them and make them think(That's if you have not mangled their poor soulsAs well, or burned their children with their homes),We'll try to make them think that some few roodsOf earth are not so bitter as hell might be.Are you not glad to think of this? Nay—go—Or else your face will haunt me when I die!Take him quickly away. The next! The next!O God![Flings up his arms and falls fainting.]MARIAN[Bending over him.]O Robin! Robin! Help him quickly.The wound! The wound![They gather roundRobin. TheOutlawscome back with the captiveForester, his pack upon his back.]FRIAR TUCK[To theForester.]Now, get you gone and quickly!What, what hath happened?[Friar Tuckand theOutlawsjoin the throng roundRobin. TheForestershakes his fist at them and goes across the glade muttering. TheMessengerfrom Kirklee Priory comes out of the forest at the same moment and speaks to him, not knowing of his dismissal.]MESSENGERAll's well! Robin can comeTo Kirklee. Our old friend the PrioressIs there, and faithful! They've all balms and simplesTo heal a wound.FORESTER[Staring at him.]To Kirklee?MESSENGERYes, at sunset,We'll take him to the borders of the woodAll will be safe.Where he can steal in easily, alone.FORESTERThe King's men are at hand!MESSENGEROh, but if we can leave him there, all's safe;We'll dodge the King's men.FORESTERWhen is he to go?MESSENGERAlmost at once; but he must not steal inTill sundown, when the nuns are all in chapel.How now? What's this? What's this?[He goes across to the throng roundRobin.]FORESTER[Looking after him.]Alone, to Kirklee![Exit.]
FIRST FORESTER
The King's men! They are scouring thro' the wood,Two troops of them, five hundred men in eachAnd more are following.
SECOND FORESTER
We must away from hereAnd quickly.
LITTLE JOHN
Where did you sight them?
SECOND FORESTER
From the old elm,Our watch-tower. They were not five miles away!
FIRST FORESTER
Five, about five. We saw the sunlight flashAlong, at least five hundred men at arms;And, to the north, along another line,Bigger, I think; but not so near.
SECOND FORESTER
Where's Robin?We must away at once!
FIRST FORESTER
No time to lose!
LITTLE JOHN
His wound is bitter—I know not if we dareMove him!
FIRST FORESTER
His wound?
LITTLE JOHN
Ay, some damned arrow pierced himWhen he escaped last night from the Dark Tower.He never spoke of it when first he reached us;And, suddenly, he swooned. He is asleepNow. He must not be wakened. They will takeSome time yet ere they thread our forest-maze.
FIRST FORESTER
Not long, by God, not long. They are moving fast.
[Marianappears at the mouth of the cave. All turn to look at her, expectantly. She seems in distress.]
MARIAN
He is tossing to and fro. I think his woundHas taken fever! What can we do?
FRIAR TUCK
I've sentA messenger to Kirklee Priory,Where my old friend the Prioress hath storeOf balms and simples, and hath often helpedA wounded forester. Could we take him there,Her skill would quickly heal him.
LITTLE JOHN
The time is pressing!
FRIAR TUCK
The lad will not be long!
[Robinappears tottering and white at the mouth of the cave.]
MARIAN
[Running to him.]
O Robin, Robin,You must not rise! Your wound!
ROBIN
[He speaks feverishly.]
Where can I restBetter than on my greenwood throne of turf?Friar, I heard them say they had some prisoners.Bring them before me.
FRIAR TUCK
Master, you are fevered,And they can wait.
ROBIN
Yes, yes; but there are someThat cannot wait, that die for want of food,And then—the Norman gold will come too late,Too late.
LITTLE JOHNO master, you must rest.
[Going up to him.]
MARIANOh, help me,Help me with him. Help me to lead him back.
ROBIN
No! No! You must not touch me! I will restWhen I have seen the prisoners, not before.
LITTLE JOHN
He means it, mistress, better humour himOr he will break his wound afresh.
MARIAN
O Robin,Give me your word that you'll go back and rest,When you have seen them.
ROBIN
Yes, I will try, I will try!But oh, the sunlight! Where better, sweet, than this?
[She leads him to the throne of turf and he sits down upon it, withMarianat his side.]
The Friar is right. This life is wine, red wine,Under the greenwood boughs! Oh, still to keep it,One little glen of justice in the midstOf multitudinous wrong. Who knows? We yetMay leaven the whole world.
[Enter the Outlaws, with several prisoners, among them, aKnight, anAbbot, and aForester.]
Those are the prisoners?You had some victims of the forest lawsThat came to you for help. Bring them in, too,And set them over against these lords of the earth!
[Some ragged women and children appear. Several serfs with iron collars round their necks and their eyes put out, are led gently in.]
Is that our Lincoln green among the prisoners?There? One of my own band?
LITTLE JOHN
Ay, more's the pity!We took him out of pity, and he has wrongedOur honour, sir; he has wronged a helpless womanEntrusted to his guidance thro' the forest.
ROBIN
Ever the same, the danger comes from thoseWe fight for, those below, not those above!Which of you will betray me to the King?
THE FORESTER
Do you askme, sir?
ROBIN
Judas answered first,With "Master, is it I?" Hang not thy head!What say'st thou to this charge?
THE FORESTER
Why, Friar TuckCan answer for me. Do you think he caresLess for a woman's lips than I?
FRIAR TUCK
Cares less,Thou rotten radish? Nay, but a vast deal more!God's three best gifts to man,—woman and songAnd wine, what dostthouknow of all their joy?Thou lean pick-purse of kisses?
ROBIN
Take him out,Friar, and let him pack his goods and go,Whither he will. I trust the knave to theeAnd thy good quarter-staff, for some five minutesBefore he says "Farewell."
FRIAR
Bring him along,Give him a quarter-staff, I'll thrash him roundly.
[He goes out. Two of theForestersfollow with the prisoner. Others bring theAbbotbeforeRobin.]
ROBIN
Ah! Ha! I know him, the godly usurerOf York!
LITTLE JOHN
We saw a woman beg for alms,One of the sufferers by the rule which gaveThis portly Norman his fat prioryAnd his abundant lands. We heard him sayThat he was helpless, had not one poor coinTo give her, not a scrap of bread! He wearsPurple beneath his cloak: his fine sleek palfreyFlaunted an Emperor's trappings!
ABBOT
Man, the ChurchMust keep her dignity!
ROBIN
[Pointing to the poor woman, etc.]
Ay, look at it!There is your dignity! And you must wearSilk next your skin to show it. But there was oneYou call your Master, and He had not whereTo lay His head, save one of these same trees!
ABBOT
Do you blaspheme! I pray you, let me go!There are grave matters waiting. I am poor!
ROBIN
Look in his purse and see.
ABBOT
[Hurriedly.]
I have five marksIn all the world, no more. I'll give them to you!
ROBIN
Look in his purse and see.
[They pour a heap of gold out of his purse.]
ROBIN
Five marks, Indeed!Here's, at the least, a hundred marks in gold!
ABBOT
That is my fees, my fees; you must not take them!
ROBIN
The ancient miracle!—five loaves, two small fishes;And then—of what remained—they gathered upTwelve basketsful!
ABBOT
Oh, you blaspheming villains!
ROBIN
Abbot, I chance to know how this was wrought,This miracle; wrought with the blood, anguish and sweatOf toiling peasants, while the cobwebs clusteredAround your lordly cellars of red wine.Give him his five and let him go.
ABBOT
[Going out.]
The KingShall hear of this! The King will hunt you down!
ROBIN
And now—the next!
SCARLET
Beseech you, sir, to rest,Your wound will—
ROBIN
No! The next, show me the next!
SCARLET
This Norman baron—
ROBIN
What, another friend!Another master of broad territories.How many homes were burned to make you lordOf half a shire? What hath he in his purse?
SCARLET
Gold and to spare!
BARON
To keep up mine estateI need much more.
ROBIN
[Pointing to the poor.]
Ay, you need these! these! these!
BARON
[Protesting.]
I am not rich.
ROBIN
Look in his purse and see.
BARON
You dogs, the King shall hear of it!
ROBIN
[Murmuring as if to himself.]
Five loaves!And yet, of what remained, they gathered upTwelve basketsful. The bread of human kindnessGoes far! Oh, I begin to see new meaningsIn that old miracle! How much? How much?
SCARLET
Five hundred marks in gold!
ROBIN
[Half rising and speaking with a sudden passion.]
His churls are starving,Starving! Their little children cry for bread!One of those jewels on his baldric thereWould feed them all in plenty all their lives!Five loaves—and yet—and yet—of what remained,The fragments, mark you, twelve great basketsful!
BARON
I am in a madman's power! The man is mad!
ROBIN
Take all he has, all you can get. To-night,When all is dark (we must have darkness, mind,For deeds like this) blind creatures will creep outWith groping hands and gaping mouths, lean arms,And shrivelled bodies, branded, fettered, lame,Distorted, horrible; and they will weepGreat tears like gouts of blood upon our feet,And we shall succour them and make them think(That's if you have not mangled their poor soulsAs well, or burned their children with their homes),We'll try to make them think that some few roodsOf earth are not so bitter as hell might be.Are you not glad to think of this? Nay—go—Or else your face will haunt me when I die!Take him quickly away. The next! The next!O God!
[Flings up his arms and falls fainting.]
MARIAN
[Bending over him.]
O Robin! Robin! Help him quickly.The wound! The wound!
[They gather roundRobin. TheOutlawscome back with the captiveForester, his pack upon his back.]
FRIAR TUCK
[To theForester.]
Now, get you gone and quickly!What, what hath happened?
[Friar Tuckand theOutlawsjoin the throng roundRobin. TheForestershakes his fist at them and goes across the glade muttering. TheMessengerfrom Kirklee Priory comes out of the forest at the same moment and speaks to him, not knowing of his dismissal.]
MESSENGER
All's well! Robin can comeTo Kirklee. Our old friend the PrioressIs there, and faithful! They've all balms and simplesTo heal a wound.
FORESTER
[Staring at him.]
To Kirklee?
MESSENGER
Yes, at sunset,We'll take him to the borders of the woodAll will be safe.Where he can steal in easily, alone.
FORESTER
The King's men are at hand!
MESSENGER
Oh, but if we can leave him there, all's safe;We'll dodge the King's men.
FORESTER
When is he to go?
MESSENGER
Almost at once; but he must not steal inTill sundown, when the nuns are all in chapel.How now? What's this? What's this?
[He goes across to the throng roundRobin.]
FORESTER
[Looking after him.]
Alone, to Kirklee!
[Exit.]
Scene II.A room in Kirklee Priory. A window on the right overlooks a cloister leading up to the chapel door. The forest is seen in the distance, the sun beginning to set behind it. ThePrioressand aNoviceare sitting in a window-seat engaged in broidery work.
NOVICEHe must be a good man—this Robin Hood!I long to see him. Father used to sayEngland had known none like him since the daysOf Hereward the Wake.PRIORESSHe will be hereBy vespers. You shall let him in. Who's that?Can that be he? It is not sundown yet.See who is there.[ExitNovice. She returns excitedly.]NOVICEA lady asks to see you!She is robed like any nun and yet she spokeLike a great lady—one that is used to ruleMore than obey; and on her breast I sawA ruby smouldering like a secret fireBeneath her cloak. She bade me say she cameOn Robin Hood's behest.PRIORESSWhat? Bring her inQuickly.[ExitNoviceand returns withQueen Elinorin a nun's garb. At the sign from thePrioresstheNoviceretires.]ELINORMadam, I come to beg a favour.I am a friend of Robin Hood. I have heard—One of his Foresters, this very noonBrought me the news—that he is sorely wounded;And purposes to seek your kindly helpAt Kirklee Priory.PRIORESSOh, then indeed,You must be a great friend, for this was keptMost secret from all others.ELINORA great friend!He was my page some fifteen years ago,And all his life I have watched over himAs if he were my son! I have come to begA favour—let me see him when he comes.My husband was a soldier, and I am skilledIn wounds. In Palestine I saved his lifeWhen every leech despaired of it, a woundCaused by a poisoned arrow.PRIORESSYou shall see him.I have some skill myself in balms and simples,But, in these deadlier matters I would fainTrust to your wider knowledge.ELINORLet me see him alone;Alone, you understand. His mind is fevered.I have an influence over him. Do not sayThat I am here, or aught that will excite him.Better say nothing—lead him gently in,And leave him. In my hands he is like a child.PRIORESSIt shall be done. I see you are subtly versedIn the poor workings of our mortal minds.ELINORI learnt much from a wise old Eastern leechWhen I was out in Palestine.PRIORESSI have heardThey have great powers and magic remedies;They can restore youth to the withered frame.ELINORThere is only one thing that they cannot do.PRIORESSAnd what?ELINORThey cannot raise the dead.PRIORESSAh, no;I am most glad to hear you say it, most gladTo know we think alike. That is most true—Yes—yes—most true; for God alone, dear friend,Can raise the dead![A bell begins tolling slowly.]The bell for even-song!You have not long to wait.[Shadowy figures of nuns pass the windows and enter the chapel. The sunset deepens.]Will you not prayWith me?[ThePrioressandQueen Elinorkneel down together before a little shrine. Enter theNovice.]NOVICEThere is a forester at the door.Mother, I think 'tis he!PRIORESS[Rising.]Admit him, then.ELINORLeave me: I will keep praying till he comes.PRIORESSYou are trembling! You are not afraid?ELINOR[With eyes closed as in strenuous devotion.]No; no;Leave me, I am but praying![A chant swells up in the chapel. ExitPrioress. Elinorcontinues muttering as in prayer. EnterRobin Hood, steadying himself on his bow, weak and white. She rises and passes between him and the door to confront him.]ELINORAh, Robin, you have come to me at lastFor healing. Pretty Marian cannot help youWith all her kisses.ROBIN HOOD[Staring at her wildly.]You! I did not knowThat you were here. I did not ask your help.I must go—Marian![He tries to reach the door, but reels in a half faint on the way.Elinorsupports him as he pauses, panting for breath.]ELINORRobin, your heart is hard,Both to yourself and me. You cannot go,Rejecting the small help which I can giveAs if I were a leper. Ah, come back.Are you so unforgiving? God forgives!Did you not see me praying for your sake?Think, if you think not of yourself, oh, thinkOf Marian—can you leave her clinging armsYet, for the cold grave, Robin? I have riskedMuch, life itself, to bring you help this day!I have some skill in wounds.[She holds him closer and brings her face near to his own, looking into his eyes.]Ah, do you knowHow slowly, how insidiously this deathCreeps, coil by tightening coil, around a man,When he is weak as you are? Do you knowHow the last subtle coil slips round your throatAnd the flat snake-like head lifts up and peersWith cruel eyes of cold, keen inquisition,Rivetting your own, until the blunt mouth sucksYour breath out with one long, slow, poisonous kiss?ROBIN HOODO God, that nightmare! Leave me! Let me go!ELINORYou stare at me as if you saw that snake.Ha! Ha! Your nerves are shaken; you are so weak!You cannot go! What! Fainting? Ah, rest hereUpon this couch.[She half supports, half thrusts him back to a couch, in an alcove out of sight and draws a curtain. There is a knock at the door.]ELINORWho's there?PRIORESSMadam, I cameTo know if I could help in anything.ELINORNothing! His blood runs languidly. It needsThe pricking of a vein to make the heartBeat, and the sluggish rivers flow. I have broughtA lance for it. I'll let a little blood.Not over-much; enough, enough to setThe pulses throbbing.PRIORESSMaid Marian came with him.She waits without and asks—ELINORLet her not comeNear him till all is done. Let her not knowAnything, or the old fever will awake.I'll lance his arm now![ThePrioresscloses the door.Elinorgoes into the alcove. The chant from the chapel swells up again.Queen Elinorcomes out of the alcove, white and trembling. She speaks in a low whisper as she looks back.]Now, trickle down, sweet blood. Grow white, fond lipsThat have kissed Marian—yet, she shall not boastYou kissed her last; for I will have you wakeTo the fierce memory of this kiss in heavenOr burn with it in hell;[She kneels down as if to kiss the face ofRobin, within. The chant from the chapel swells up more loudly. The door slowly opens.Mariansteals in.Elinorrises and confronts her.]ELINOR[Laying a hand uponRobin'sbow beside her.]Hush! Do not wake him!MARIAN[In a low voice.]What have you done with him?ELINOR[AsMarianadvances towards the couch.]He is asleep.Hush! Not a step further! Stay where you are! His lifeHangs on a thread.MARIANWhy do you stare upon me?What have you done? What's this that trickles down—[Stoops to the floor and leaps back with a scream.]It is blood. You have killed him!ELINOR[Seizes the bow and shoots.Marianfalls.]Follow him—down to hell.King John will find you there.[Exit. The scene grows dark.]MARIAN[Lifts her head with a groan.]I am dying, Robin!O God, I cannot wake him! Robin! Robin!Give me one word to take into the dark!He will not wake! He will not wake! O God,Help him![She falls back unconscious.Shadow-of-a-Leaf, a green spray in his hand, opens the casement and stands for a moment in the window against the last glow of sunset, then enters and runs to the side ofRobin.]SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF[Hurriedly.]Awake, awake, Robin, awake!The forest waits to help you! All the leavesAre listening for your bugle. Ah, where is it?Let but one echo sound and the wild flowersWill break thro' these grey walls and the green spraysDrag down these deadly towers. Wake, Robin, wake,And let the forest drown the priest's grey songWith happy murmurs. Robin, the gates are openFor you and Marian! All I had to giveI have given to thrust them open, the dear gatesOf fairyland which I shall never passAgain. I can no more, I am but a shadow,Dying as mortals die! It is not IThat calls, not I, but Marian. Hear her voice!Robin, awake!O, master mine, farewell![Exit lingeringly through the casement.]ROBIN[Robinis dimly seen in the mouth of the alcove. He stretches out his hands blindly in the dark.]Marian! Why do you call to me in dreams?Why do you call me? I must go. What's this?Help me, kind God, for I must say one word,Only one word—good-bye—to Marian,To Marian—Ah, too weak, too weak![He sees the dark body ofMarianand utters a cry, falling on his knees beside her.]O God,Marian! Marian!My bugle! Ah, my bugle![He rises to his feet and, drowning the distant organ-music, he blows a resounding forest-call. It is answered by several in the forest. He falls on his knees byMarianand takes her in his arms.]O Marian, Marian, who hath used thee so?MARIANRobin, it is my death-wound. Ah, come close.ROBINMarian, Marian, what have they done to thee?[TheOutlawsare heard thundering at the gates with cries.]OUTLAWSRobin! Robin! Robin! Break down the doors.[The terrified nuns stream past the window, out of the chapel. TheOutlawsrush into the room. The scene still darkens.]SCARLETRobin and Marian!LITTLE JOHNChrist, what devil's handHath played the butcher here? Quick, hunt them down,They passed out yonder. Let them not outliveOur murdered king and queen.REYNOLD GREENLEAFO Robin, Robin,Who shot this bitter shaft into her breast?[Several stoop and kneel by the two lovers.]ROBIN HOODSpeak to me, Marian, speak to me, only speak!Just one small word, one little loving wordLike those—do you remember?—you have breathedSo many a time and often, against my cheek,Under the boughs of Sherwood, in the darkAt night, with nothing but the boughs and starsBetween us and the dear God up in heaven!O God, why does a man's heart take so longTo break? It would break sooner if you spokeA word to me, a word, one small kind word.MARIANSweetheart!ROBINSweetheart! You have broken it, broken it! Oh, kind,Kind heart of Marian!MARIANRobin, come soon![Dies.]ROBINSoon, sweetheart! Oh, her sweet brave soul is gone!Marian, I follow quickly!SCARLETGod, KirkleeShall burn for this!LITTLE JOHNKirklee shall burn for this!O master, master, you shall be avenged!ROBINNo; let me stand upright! Your hand, good Scarlet!We have lived our lives and God be thanked we goTogether thro' this darkness. We shall wake,Please God, together. It is growing darker!I cannot see your faces. Give me my bowQuickly into my hands, for my strength failsAnd I must shoot one last shaft on the trailOf yonder setting sun, never to reach it!But where this last, last bolt of all my strength,My hope, my love, shall fall, there bury us both,Together, and tread the green turf over us!The bow![Scarlethands him his bow. He stands against the faint glow of the window, draws the bow to full length, shoots and falls back into the arms ofLittle John.]LITTLE JOHN[Laying him down.]Weep, England, for thine outlawed lover,Dear Robin Hood, the poor man's friend, is dead.[The scene becomes quite dark. Then out of the darkness, and as if at a distance, the voice ofShadow-of-a-Leafis heard singing the fairy song of the first scene. The fairy glade in Sherwood begins to be visible in the gloom by the soft light of the ivory gates which are swinging open once more among the ferns. As the scene grows clearer the song ofShadow-of-a-Leafgrows more and more triumphant and is gradually caught up by the >chorus of the fairy host within the woods.][Song ofShadow-of-a-Leaf.]IThe Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!The world begins again!And O, the red of the roses,And the rush of the healing rain!IIThe Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!The Princess wakes from sleep;For the soft green keys of the wood-landHave opened her donjon-keep!IIIThe Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!Their grey walls hemmed us round;But, under my greenwood oceans,Their castles are trampled and drowned.IVThe Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!My green sprays climbed on high,And the ivy laid hold on their turretsAnd haled them down from the sky!VThe Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!They were strong! They are overthrown!For the little soft hands of the wild-flowersHave broken them, stone by stone.VIThe Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!Though Robin lie dead, lie dead,And the green turf by KirkleeLie light over Marian's head,VIIGreen ferns on the crimson sky-line,What bugle have you heard?Was it only the peal of the blue-bells,Was it only the call of a bird?VIIIThe Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!The rose o'er the fortalice floats!My nightingales chant in their chapels,My lilies have bridged their moats!IXThe Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!King Death, in the light of the sun,Shrinks like an elfin shadow!His reign is over and done!XThe hawthorn whitens the wood-land;My lovers, awake, awake,Shake off the grass-green coverlet,Glide, bare-foot, thro' the brake!XIThe Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!And, under the great green boughs,I have found out a place for my lovers,I have built them a beautiful house.XIIGreen ferns in the dawn-red dew-fall,This gift by my death I give,—They shall wander immortal thro' Sherwood!In my great green house they shall live!XIIIThe Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!When the first wind blows from the South,They shall meet by the Gates of Faërie!She shall set her mouth to his mouth!XIVHe shall gather her, fold her and keep her;They shall pass thro' the Gates, they shall live!For the Forest, the Forest has conquered!This gift by my death I give!XVThe Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!The world awakes anew;And O, the scent of the hawthorn,And the drip of the healing dew![The song ceases.TitaniaandOberoncome out into the moon-lit glade.]OBERONYet one night more the gates of fairylandAre opened by a mortal's kindly deed.But Robin Hood and Marian now are drivenAs we shall soon be driven, from the worldOf cruel mortals.TITANIAMortals call them dead;Oberon, what is death?OBERONOnly a sleep.But these may dream their happy dreams in deathBefore they wake to that new lovely lifeBeyond the shadows; for poor Shadow-of-a-LeafHas given them this by love's eternal lawOf sacrifice, and they shall enter inTo dream their lover's dream in fairyland.TITANIAAnd Shadow-of-a-Leaf?OBERONHe cannot enter now.The gates are closed against him.TITANIABut is thisFor ever?OBERONWe fairies have not known or heardWhat waits for those who, like this wandering Fool,Throw all away for love. But I have heardThere is a great King, out beyond the world,Not Richard, who is dead, nor yet King John;But a great King who one day will come homeClothed with the clouds of heaven from His Crusade.TITANIAThe great King!OBERONHush, the poor dark mortals come![The crowd of serfs, old men, poor women, and children, begin to enter as the fairy song swells up within the gates again.RobinandMarianare led along by a crowd of fairies at the end of the procession.]TITANIAAnd there, see, there come Robin and his bride.And the fairies lead them on, strewing their pathWith ferns and moon-flowers. See, they have entered in![The last fairy vanishes thro' the gates.]OBERONAnd we must follow, for the gates may closeFor ever now. Hundreds of years may passBefore another mortal gives his lifeTo help the poor and needy.[OberonandTitaniafollow hand in hand thro' the gates. They begin to close.Shadow-of-a-Leafsteals wistfully and hesitatingly across, as if to enter. They close in his face. He goes up to them and leans against them sobbing, a small green figure, looking like a greenwood spray against their soft ivory glow. The fairy music dies. He sinks to his knees and holds up his hands. Immediately a voice is heard singing and drawing nearer thro' the forest.][Song—drawing nearer.]Knight on the narrow way,Where wouldst thou ride?"Onward," I heard him say,"Love, to thy side!""Nay," sang a bird above,"Stay, for I seeDeath in the mask of loveWaiting for thee."[EnterBlondel, leading a great white steed. He stops and looks at the kneeling figure.]BLONDELShadow-of-a-Leaf!SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF[Rising to his feet.]Blondel!BLONDELI go to seekMy King!SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF[In passionate grief.]The King is dead!BLONDEL[In yet more passionate joy and triumph.]The great King lives![Then more tenderly.]Will you not come and look for Him with me?[They go slowly together through the forest and are lost to sight.Blondel'svoice is heard singing the third stanza of the song in the distance, further and further away.]"Death? What is Death?" he cried."I must ride on!"[Curtain.]
NOVICE
He must be a good man—this Robin Hood!I long to see him. Father used to sayEngland had known none like him since the daysOf Hereward the Wake.
PRIORESS
He will be hereBy vespers. You shall let him in. Who's that?Can that be he? It is not sundown yet.See who is there.
[ExitNovice. She returns excitedly.]
NOVICE
A lady asks to see you!She is robed like any nun and yet she spokeLike a great lady—one that is used to ruleMore than obey; and on her breast I sawA ruby smouldering like a secret fireBeneath her cloak. She bade me say she cameOn Robin Hood's behest.
PRIORESS
What? Bring her inQuickly.
[ExitNoviceand returns withQueen Elinorin a nun's garb. At the sign from thePrioresstheNoviceretires.]
ELINOR
Madam, I come to beg a favour.I am a friend of Robin Hood. I have heard—One of his Foresters, this very noonBrought me the news—that he is sorely wounded;And purposes to seek your kindly helpAt Kirklee Priory.
PRIORESS
Oh, then indeed,You must be a great friend, for this was keptMost secret from all others.
ELINOR
A great friend!He was my page some fifteen years ago,And all his life I have watched over himAs if he were my son! I have come to begA favour—let me see him when he comes.My husband was a soldier, and I am skilledIn wounds. In Palestine I saved his lifeWhen every leech despaired of it, a woundCaused by a poisoned arrow.
PRIORESS
You shall see him.I have some skill myself in balms and simples,But, in these deadlier matters I would fainTrust to your wider knowledge.
ELINOR
Let me see him alone;Alone, you understand. His mind is fevered.I have an influence over him. Do not sayThat I am here, or aught that will excite him.Better say nothing—lead him gently in,And leave him. In my hands he is like a child.
PRIORESS
It shall be done. I see you are subtly versedIn the poor workings of our mortal minds.
ELINOR
I learnt much from a wise old Eastern leechWhen I was out in Palestine.
PRIORESS
I have heardThey have great powers and magic remedies;They can restore youth to the withered frame.
ELINOR
There is only one thing that they cannot do.
PRIORESS
And what?
ELINOR
They cannot raise the dead.
PRIORESS
Ah, no;I am most glad to hear you say it, most gladTo know we think alike. That is most true—Yes—yes—most true; for God alone, dear friend,Can raise the dead!
[A bell begins tolling slowly.]
The bell for even-song!You have not long to wait.
[Shadowy figures of nuns pass the windows and enter the chapel. The sunset deepens.]
Will you not prayWith me?
[ThePrioressandQueen Elinorkneel down together before a little shrine. Enter theNovice.]
NOVICE
There is a forester at the door.Mother, I think 'tis he!
PRIORESS
[Rising.]
Admit him, then.
ELINOR
Leave me: I will keep praying till he comes.
PRIORESS
You are trembling! You are not afraid?
ELINOR
[With eyes closed as in strenuous devotion.]
No; no;Leave me, I am but praying!
[A chant swells up in the chapel. ExitPrioress. Elinorcontinues muttering as in prayer. EnterRobin Hood, steadying himself on his bow, weak and white. She rises and passes between him and the door to confront him.]
ELINOR
Ah, Robin, you have come to me at lastFor healing. Pretty Marian cannot help youWith all her kisses.
ROBIN HOOD
[Staring at her wildly.]
You! I did not knowThat you were here. I did not ask your help.I must go—Marian!
[He tries to reach the door, but reels in a half faint on the way.Elinorsupports him as he pauses, panting for breath.]
ELINOR
Robin, your heart is hard,Both to yourself and me. You cannot go,Rejecting the small help which I can giveAs if I were a leper. Ah, come back.Are you so unforgiving? God forgives!Did you not see me praying for your sake?Think, if you think not of yourself, oh, thinkOf Marian—can you leave her clinging armsYet, for the cold grave, Robin? I have riskedMuch, life itself, to bring you help this day!I have some skill in wounds.
[She holds him closer and brings her face near to his own, looking into his eyes.]
Ah, do you knowHow slowly, how insidiously this deathCreeps, coil by tightening coil, around a man,When he is weak as you are? Do you knowHow the last subtle coil slips round your throatAnd the flat snake-like head lifts up and peersWith cruel eyes of cold, keen inquisition,Rivetting your own, until the blunt mouth sucksYour breath out with one long, slow, poisonous kiss?
ROBIN HOOD
O God, that nightmare! Leave me! Let me go!
ELINOR
You stare at me as if you saw that snake.Ha! Ha! Your nerves are shaken; you are so weak!You cannot go! What! Fainting? Ah, rest hereUpon this couch.
[She half supports, half thrusts him back to a couch, in an alcove out of sight and draws a curtain. There is a knock at the door.]
ELINOR
Who's there?
PRIORESS
Madam, I cameTo know if I could help in anything.
ELINOR
Nothing! His blood runs languidly. It needsThe pricking of a vein to make the heartBeat, and the sluggish rivers flow. I have broughtA lance for it. I'll let a little blood.Not over-much; enough, enough to setThe pulses throbbing.
PRIORESS
Maid Marian came with him.She waits without and asks—
ELINOR
Let her not comeNear him till all is done. Let her not knowAnything, or the old fever will awake.I'll lance his arm now!
[ThePrioresscloses the door.Elinorgoes into the alcove. The chant from the chapel swells up again.Queen Elinorcomes out of the alcove, white and trembling. She speaks in a low whisper as she looks back.]
Now, trickle down, sweet blood. Grow white, fond lipsThat have kissed Marian—yet, she shall not boastYou kissed her last; for I will have you wakeTo the fierce memory of this kiss in heavenOr burn with it in hell;
[She kneels down as if to kiss the face ofRobin, within. The chant from the chapel swells up more loudly. The door slowly opens.Mariansteals in.Elinorrises and confronts her.]
ELINOR
[Laying a hand uponRobin'sbow beside her.]
Hush! Do not wake him!
MARIAN
[In a low voice.]
What have you done with him?
ELINOR
[AsMarianadvances towards the couch.]
He is asleep.Hush! Not a step further! Stay where you are! His lifeHangs on a thread.
MARIANWhy do you stare upon me?What have you done? What's this that trickles down—
[Stoops to the floor and leaps back with a scream.]
It is blood. You have killed him!
ELINOR
[Seizes the bow and shoots.Marianfalls.]
Follow him—down to hell.King John will find you there.
[Exit. The scene grows dark.]
MARIAN
[Lifts her head with a groan.]
I am dying, Robin!O God, I cannot wake him! Robin! Robin!Give me one word to take into the dark!He will not wake! He will not wake! O God,Help him!
[She falls back unconscious.Shadow-of-a-Leaf, a green spray in his hand, opens the casement and stands for a moment in the window against the last glow of sunset, then enters and runs to the side ofRobin.]
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
[Hurriedly.]
Awake, awake, Robin, awake!The forest waits to help you! All the leavesAre listening for your bugle. Ah, where is it?Let but one echo sound and the wild flowersWill break thro' these grey walls and the green spraysDrag down these deadly towers. Wake, Robin, wake,And let the forest drown the priest's grey songWith happy murmurs. Robin, the gates are openFor you and Marian! All I had to giveI have given to thrust them open, the dear gatesOf fairyland which I shall never passAgain. I can no more, I am but a shadow,Dying as mortals die! It is not IThat calls, not I, but Marian. Hear her voice!Robin, awake!O, master mine, farewell!
[Exit lingeringly through the casement.]
ROBIN
[Robinis dimly seen in the mouth of the alcove. He stretches out his hands blindly in the dark.]
Marian! Why do you call to me in dreams?Why do you call me? I must go. What's this?Help me, kind God, for I must say one word,Only one word—good-bye—to Marian,To Marian—Ah, too weak, too weak!
[He sees the dark body ofMarianand utters a cry, falling on his knees beside her.]
O God,Marian! Marian!My bugle! Ah, my bugle!
[He rises to his feet and, drowning the distant organ-music, he blows a resounding forest-call. It is answered by several in the forest. He falls on his knees byMarianand takes her in his arms.]
O Marian, Marian, who hath used thee so?
MARIAN
Robin, it is my death-wound. Ah, come close.
ROBIN
Marian, Marian, what have they done to thee?
[TheOutlawsare heard thundering at the gates with cries.]
OUTLAWS
Robin! Robin! Robin! Break down the doors.
[The terrified nuns stream past the window, out of the chapel. TheOutlawsrush into the room. The scene still darkens.]
SCARLET
Robin and Marian!
LITTLE JOHN
Christ, what devil's handHath played the butcher here? Quick, hunt them down,They passed out yonder. Let them not outliveOur murdered king and queen.
REYNOLD GREENLEAF
O Robin, Robin,Who shot this bitter shaft into her breast?
[Several stoop and kneel by the two lovers.]
ROBIN HOOD
Speak to me, Marian, speak to me, only speak!Just one small word, one little loving wordLike those—do you remember?—you have breathedSo many a time and often, against my cheek,Under the boughs of Sherwood, in the darkAt night, with nothing but the boughs and starsBetween us and the dear God up in heaven!O God, why does a man's heart take so longTo break? It would break sooner if you spokeA word to me, a word, one small kind word.
MARIAN
Sweetheart!
ROBIN
Sweetheart! You have broken it, broken it! Oh, kind,Kind heart of Marian!
MARIAN
Robin, come soon!
[Dies.]
ROBIN
Soon, sweetheart! Oh, her sweet brave soul is gone!Marian, I follow quickly!
SCARLET
God, KirkleeShall burn for this!
LITTLE JOHN
Kirklee shall burn for this!O master, master, you shall be avenged!
ROBIN
No; let me stand upright! Your hand, good Scarlet!We have lived our lives and God be thanked we goTogether thro' this darkness. We shall wake,Please God, together. It is growing darker!I cannot see your faces. Give me my bowQuickly into my hands, for my strength failsAnd I must shoot one last shaft on the trailOf yonder setting sun, never to reach it!But where this last, last bolt of all my strength,My hope, my love, shall fall, there bury us both,Together, and tread the green turf over us!The bow!
[Scarlethands him his bow. He stands against the faint glow of the window, draws the bow to full length, shoots and falls back into the arms ofLittle John.]
LITTLE JOHN
[Laying him down.]
Weep, England, for thine outlawed lover,Dear Robin Hood, the poor man's friend, is dead.
[The scene becomes quite dark. Then out of the darkness, and as if at a distance, the voice ofShadow-of-a-Leafis heard singing the fairy song of the first scene. The fairy glade in Sherwood begins to be visible in the gloom by the soft light of the ivory gates which are swinging open once more among the ferns. As the scene grows clearer the song ofShadow-of-a-Leafgrows more and more triumphant and is gradually caught up by the >chorus of the fairy host within the woods.]
[Song ofShadow-of-a-Leaf.]
I
The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!The world begins again!And O, the red of the roses,And the rush of the healing rain!
II
The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!The Princess wakes from sleep;For the soft green keys of the wood-landHave opened her donjon-keep!
III
The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!Their grey walls hemmed us round;But, under my greenwood oceans,Their castles are trampled and drowned.
IV
The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!My green sprays climbed on high,And the ivy laid hold on their turretsAnd haled them down from the sky!
V
The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!They were strong! They are overthrown!For the little soft hands of the wild-flowersHave broken them, stone by stone.
VI
The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!Though Robin lie dead, lie dead,And the green turf by KirkleeLie light over Marian's head,
VII
Green ferns on the crimson sky-line,What bugle have you heard?Was it only the peal of the blue-bells,Was it only the call of a bird?
VIII
The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!The rose o'er the fortalice floats!My nightingales chant in their chapels,My lilies have bridged their moats!
IX
The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!King Death, in the light of the sun,Shrinks like an elfin shadow!His reign is over and done!
X
The hawthorn whitens the wood-land;My lovers, awake, awake,Shake off the grass-green coverlet,Glide, bare-foot, thro' the brake!
XI
The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!And, under the great green boughs,I have found out a place for my lovers,I have built them a beautiful house.
XII
Green ferns in the dawn-red dew-fall,This gift by my death I give,—They shall wander immortal thro' Sherwood!In my great green house they shall live!
XIII
The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!When the first wind blows from the South,They shall meet by the Gates of Faërie!She shall set her mouth to his mouth!
XIV
He shall gather her, fold her and keep her;They shall pass thro' the Gates, they shall live!For the Forest, the Forest has conquered!This gift by my death I give!
XV
The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered! The Forest has conquered!The world awakes anew;And O, the scent of the hawthorn,And the drip of the healing dew!
[The song ceases.TitaniaandOberoncome out into the moon-lit glade.]
OBERON
Yet one night more the gates of fairylandAre opened by a mortal's kindly deed.But Robin Hood and Marian now are drivenAs we shall soon be driven, from the worldOf cruel mortals.
TITANIA
Mortals call them dead;Oberon, what is death?
OBERON
Only a sleep.But these may dream their happy dreams in deathBefore they wake to that new lovely lifeBeyond the shadows; for poor Shadow-of-a-LeafHas given them this by love's eternal lawOf sacrifice, and they shall enter inTo dream their lover's dream in fairyland.
TITANIA
And Shadow-of-a-Leaf?
OBERON
He cannot enter now.The gates are closed against him.
TITANIA
But is thisFor ever?
OBERONWe fairies have not known or heardWhat waits for those who, like this wandering Fool,Throw all away for love. But I have heardThere is a great King, out beyond the world,Not Richard, who is dead, nor yet King John;But a great King who one day will come homeClothed with the clouds of heaven from His Crusade.
TITANIA
The great King!
OBERON
Hush, the poor dark mortals come!
[The crowd of serfs, old men, poor women, and children, begin to enter as the fairy song swells up within the gates again.RobinandMarianare led along by a crowd of fairies at the end of the procession.]
TITANIA
And there, see, there come Robin and his bride.And the fairies lead them on, strewing their pathWith ferns and moon-flowers. See, they have entered in!
[The last fairy vanishes thro' the gates.]
OBERON
And we must follow, for the gates may closeFor ever now. Hundreds of years may passBefore another mortal gives his lifeTo help the poor and needy.
[OberonandTitaniafollow hand in hand thro' the gates. They begin to close.Shadow-of-a-Leafsteals wistfully and hesitatingly across, as if to enter. They close in his face. He goes up to them and leans against them sobbing, a small green figure, looking like a greenwood spray against their soft ivory glow. The fairy music dies. He sinks to his knees and holds up his hands. Immediately a voice is heard singing and drawing nearer thro' the forest.]
[Song—drawing nearer.]
Knight on the narrow way,Where wouldst thou ride?"Onward," I heard him say,"Love, to thy side!"
"Nay," sang a bird above,"Stay, for I seeDeath in the mask of loveWaiting for thee."
[EnterBlondel, leading a great white steed. He stops and looks at the kneeling figure.]
BLONDEL
Shadow-of-a-Leaf!
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
[Rising to his feet.]
Blondel!
BLONDEL
I go to seekMy King!
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
[In passionate grief.]
The King is dead!
BLONDEL
[In yet more passionate joy and triumph.]
The great King lives!
[Then more tenderly.]
Will you not come and look for Him with me?
[They go slowly together through the forest and are lost to sight.Blondel'svoice is heard singing the third stanza of the song in the distance, further and further away.]
"Death? What is Death?" he cried."I must ride on!"
[Curtain.]