ELINORYou will be king the sooner! Not a monthIn England, and my good son Lion-HeartMust wander over-seas again. These two,Huntingdon and his bride, must bless the starOf errant knighthood.JOHNHe stayed just long enoughTo let them pass one fearless honeymoonIn the broad sunlight of his royal favour,Then, like a meteor off goes great King Richard,And leaves them but the shadow of his nameTo shelter them from my revenge. They know it!I have seen her shiver like a startled fawnAnd draw him closer, damn him, as I passed.ELINORThey would have flitted to the woods againBut for my Lord Fitzwalter.JOHNThat old foolHas wits enough to know I shall be king,And for his land's sake cheats himself to playSir Pandarus of Troy. "'Tis wrong, dear daughter,To think such evil." Pah, he makes me sick!ELINORBetter to laugh. He is useful.JOHNIf I were king!If Richard were to perish over-seas!I'd—ELINORYou'd be king the sooner. Never fear:These wandering meteors flash into their gravesLike lightning, and no thunder follows themTo warn their foolish henchmen.JOHN[Looking at her searchingly.]Shall I riskThe King's return?ELINORWhat do you mean?JOHNI meanI cannot wait and watch this Robin HoodDangle the fruit of Tantalus before me,Then eat it in my sight! I have borne enough!He gave me like a fairing to my brotherIn Sherwood Forest; and I now must watch him,A happy bridegroom with the happy bride,Whose lips I meant for mine.ELINORAnd do you thinkI love to see it?JOHNHad it not been for youHe would have died ere this!ELINORThen let him die!JOHNOh, ay, but do you mean it, mother?ELINORGod,I hate him, hate him!JOHNMother, he goes at noonTo Sherwood Forest, with a bag of goldFor some of his old followers. If, by chanceHe fall—how saith the Scripture?—among thievesAnd vanish—is not heard of any more,I think Suspicion scarce could lift her headAmong these roses here to hiss at me,When Lion-Heart returns.ELINORVanish?JOHNI would notKill him too quickly. I would have him takenTo a dungeon that I know.ELINORYou have laid your trapAlready? Tell me. You need not be afraid!I saw them kiss, in the garden, yesternight;And I have wondered, ever since, if fireCould make a brand quite hot enough to stampMy hate upon him.JOHNWell, then, I will tell you—The plan is laid; and, if his bag of goldRejoice one serf to-day, then I'll resignMaid Marian to his loving arms for ever.But you must help me, mother, or she'll suspect.Do not let slip your mask of friendliness,As I have feared. Look—there our lovers comeBeneath that arch of roses. Look, look, mother,They are taking leave of one another now,A ghastly parting, for he will be goneWell nigh four hours, they think. To look at them,One might suppose they knew it was for ever.ELINORCome, or my hate will show itself in my face:I must not see them.[ExeuntPrinceandElinor. A pause. EnterRobin HoodandMarian.]ROBINSo, good-bye, once more,Sweetheart.MARIANFour hours; how shall I pass the time?Four hours, four ages, you will scarce be homeBy dusk; how shall I pass it?ROBINYou've to thinkWhat robe to wear at the great masque to-nightAnd then to don it. When you've done all thatI shall be home again.MARIANWhat, not before?ROBINThat's not unlikely, either.MARIANNow you mock me,But you'll be back before the masque begins.ROBINI warrant you I will.MARIANIt is a monthTo-day since we were married. Did you know it?Fie, I believe you had forgotten, Robin.ROBINI had, almost. If marriage make the moonsFly, as this month has flown, we shall be oldAnd grey in our graves before we know it.I wish that we could chain old Father Time.MARIANAnd break his glass into ten thousand pieces.ROBINAnd drown his cruel scythe ten fathom deep,Under the bright blue sea whence Love was born:MARIANAh, but we have not parted all this monthMore than a garden's breadth, an arrow's flight:Time will be dead till you come back again.Four hours of absence make four centuries!Do you remember how the song goes, Robin,That bids true lovers not to grieve at partingOften? for Nature gently severs them thus,Training them up with kind and tender art,For the great day when they must part for ever.ROBINDo you believe it, Marian?MARIANNo; for loveBuried beneath the dust of life and death,Would wait for centuries of centuries,Ages of ages, until God remembered,And, through that perishing cloud-wrack, face looked upOnce more to loving face.ROBINYour hope—and mine!Is not a man's poor memory, indeed,A daily resurrection? Your hope—and mine!MARIANAnd all the world's at heart! I do believe it.ROBINAnd I—if only that so many soulsLike yours have died believing they should meetAgain, lovers and children, little children!God will not break that trust. I have found my heavenAgain in you; and, though I stumble still,Your small hand leads me thro' the darkness, upAnd onward, to the heights I dared not see,And dare not even now; but my head bowsAbove your face; I see them in your eyes.Love, point me onward still![He takes her in his arms.]Good-bye! Good-bye!MARIANCome back, come back, before the masque begins!ROBINAy, or a little later—never fear:You'll not so easily lose me.MARIANI shall countThe minutes!ROBINWhy, you're trembling!MARIANYes, I am foolish.This is the first small parting we have had;But—you'll be back ere dusk?ROBIN[Laughing.]Ah, do you thinkThat chains of steel could hold me, sweet, from you,With those two heavenly eyes to call me home,Those lips to welcome me? Good-bye!MARIANGood-bye![He goes hurriedly out. She looks after him for a moment, then suddenly calls.]Robin! Ah, well, no matter now—too late![She stands looking after him.]
ELINOR
You will be king the sooner! Not a monthIn England, and my good son Lion-HeartMust wander over-seas again. These two,Huntingdon and his bride, must bless the starOf errant knighthood.
JOHN
He stayed just long enoughTo let them pass one fearless honeymoonIn the broad sunlight of his royal favour,Then, like a meteor off goes great King Richard,And leaves them but the shadow of his nameTo shelter them from my revenge. They know it!I have seen her shiver like a startled fawnAnd draw him closer, damn him, as I passed.
ELINOR
They would have flitted to the woods againBut for my Lord Fitzwalter.
JOHN
That old foolHas wits enough to know I shall be king,And for his land's sake cheats himself to playSir Pandarus of Troy. "'Tis wrong, dear daughter,To think such evil." Pah, he makes me sick!
ELINOR
Better to laugh. He is useful.
JOHN
If I were king!If Richard were to perish over-seas!I'd—
ELINOR
You'd be king the sooner. Never fear:These wandering meteors flash into their gravesLike lightning, and no thunder follows themTo warn their foolish henchmen.
JOHN
[Looking at her searchingly.]
Shall I riskThe King's return?
ELINOR
What do you mean?
JOHN
I meanI cannot wait and watch this Robin HoodDangle the fruit of Tantalus before me,Then eat it in my sight! I have borne enough!He gave me like a fairing to my brotherIn Sherwood Forest; and I now must watch him,A happy bridegroom with the happy bride,Whose lips I meant for mine.
ELINOR
And do you thinkI love to see it?
JOHN
Had it not been for youHe would have died ere this!
ELINOR
Then let him die!
JOHN
Oh, ay, but do you mean it, mother?
ELINOR
God,I hate him, hate him!
JOHN
Mother, he goes at noonTo Sherwood Forest, with a bag of goldFor some of his old followers. If, by chanceHe fall—how saith the Scripture?—among thievesAnd vanish—is not heard of any more,I think Suspicion scarce could lift her headAmong these roses here to hiss at me,When Lion-Heart returns.
ELINOR
Vanish?
JOHN
I would notKill him too quickly. I would have him takenTo a dungeon that I know.
ELINOR
You have laid your trapAlready? Tell me. You need not be afraid!I saw them kiss, in the garden, yesternight;And I have wondered, ever since, if fireCould make a brand quite hot enough to stampMy hate upon him.
JOHN
Well, then, I will tell you—The plan is laid; and, if his bag of goldRejoice one serf to-day, then I'll resignMaid Marian to his loving arms for ever.But you must help me, mother, or she'll suspect.Do not let slip your mask of friendliness,As I have feared. Look—there our lovers comeBeneath that arch of roses. Look, look, mother,They are taking leave of one another now,A ghastly parting, for he will be goneWell nigh four hours, they think. To look at them,One might suppose they knew it was for ever.
ELINOR
Come, or my hate will show itself in my face:I must not see them.
[ExeuntPrinceandElinor. A pause. EnterRobin HoodandMarian.]
ROBIN
So, good-bye, once more,Sweetheart.
MARIAN
Four hours; how shall I pass the time?Four hours, four ages, you will scarce be homeBy dusk; how shall I pass it?
ROBIN
You've to thinkWhat robe to wear at the great masque to-nightAnd then to don it. When you've done all thatI shall be home again.
MARIAN
What, not before?
ROBIN
That's not unlikely, either.
MARIAN
Now you mock me,But you'll be back before the masque begins.
ROBIN
I warrant you I will.
MARIAN
It is a monthTo-day since we were married. Did you know it?Fie, I believe you had forgotten, Robin.
ROBIN
I had, almost. If marriage make the moonsFly, as this month has flown, we shall be oldAnd grey in our graves before we know it.I wish that we could chain old Father Time.
MARIAN
And break his glass into ten thousand pieces.
ROBIN
And drown his cruel scythe ten fathom deep,Under the bright blue sea whence Love was born:
MARIAN
Ah, but we have not parted all this monthMore than a garden's breadth, an arrow's flight:Time will be dead till you come back again.Four hours of absence make four centuries!Do you remember how the song goes, Robin,That bids true lovers not to grieve at partingOften? for Nature gently severs them thus,Training them up with kind and tender art,For the great day when they must part for ever.
ROBIN
Do you believe it, Marian?
MARIAN
No; for loveBuried beneath the dust of life and death,Would wait for centuries of centuries,Ages of ages, until God remembered,And, through that perishing cloud-wrack, face looked upOnce more to loving face.
ROBIN
Your hope—and mine!Is not a man's poor memory, indeed,A daily resurrection? Your hope—and mine!
MARIAN
And all the world's at heart! I do believe it.
ROBIN
And I—if only that so many soulsLike yours have died believing they should meetAgain, lovers and children, little children!God will not break that trust. I have found my heavenAgain in you; and, though I stumble still,Your small hand leads me thro' the darkness, upAnd onward, to the heights I dared not see,And dare not even now; but my head bowsAbove your face; I see them in your eyes.Love, point me onward still!
[He takes her in his arms.]
Good-bye! Good-bye!
MARIAN
Come back, come back, before the masque begins!
ROBIN
Ay, or a little later—never fear:You'll not so easily lose me.
MARIAN
I shall countThe minutes!
ROBIN
Why, you're trembling!
MARIAN
Yes, I am foolish.This is the first small parting we have had;But—you'll be back ere dusk?
ROBIN
[Laughing.]
Ah, do you thinkThat chains of steel could hold me, sweet, from you,With those two heavenly eyes to call me home,Those lips to welcome me? Good-bye!
MARIAN
Good-bye!
[He goes hurriedly out. She looks after him for a moment, then suddenly calls.]
Robin! Ah, well, no matter now—too late!
[She stands looking after him.]
Scene II.Sherwood Forest: dusk. Outside the cave, as in the second act.Shadow-of-a-Leafruns quickly across the glade, followed byPuck.
PUCKShadow-of-a-Leaf! Shadow-of-a-Leaf! Shadow-of-a-Leaf!Don't dance away like that; don't hop; don't skipLike that, I tell you! I'll never do it again,I promise. Don't be silly now! Come here;I want to tell you something. Ah, that's right.Come, sit down here upon this bank of thyme"While I thine amiable ears"—Oh, no,Forgive me, ha! ha! ha!SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFNow, Master Puck,You'll kindly keep your word! A foxglove sprayIn the right hand is deadlier than the swordThat mortals use, and one resounding thwackApplied to your slim fairyhood's green limbsWill make it painful, painful, very painful,Next time your worship wishes to sit downCross-legged upon a mushroom.PUCKHa! ha! ha!Poor Shadow-of-a-Leaf!SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFYou keep your word, that's all!PUCKHaven't I kept my word? Wasn't it IThat made you what these poor, dull mortals callCrazy? Who crowned you with the cap and bells?Who made you such a hopeless, glorious foolThat wise men are afraid of every wordYou utter? Wasn't it I that made you freeOf fairyland—that showed you how to pluckFern-seed by moonlight, and to walk and talkBetween the lights, with urchins and with elves?Is there another fool twixt earth and heavenLike you—ungrateful rogue—answer me that!SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFAll true, dear gossip, and for saving meFrom the poor game of blind man's buff men callWisdom, I thank you; but to hang and buzzLike a mad dragon-fly, now on my nose,Now on my neck, now singing in my ears,Is that to make me free of fairyland?No—that's enough to make the poor fool madAnd take to human wisdom.PUCKYet you love me,Ha! ha!—you love me more than all the rest.You can't deny it! You can't deny it! Ha! ha!SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFI won't deny it, gossip. E'en as I thinkThere must be something loves us creatures, Puck,More than the Churchmen say. We are so teasedWith thorns, bullied with briars, baffled with stars.I've lain sometimes and laughed until I criedTo see the round moon rising o'er these treesWith that same foolish face of heavenly mirthWinking at lovers in the blue-bell glade.PUCKLovers! Ha! ha! I caught a pair of 'emLast night, behind the ruined chapel! Lovers!O Lord, these mortals, they'll be the death of me!Hist, who comes here?SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFScarlet and Little John,And all the merry men—not half so merrySince Robin went away. He was to comeAnd judge between the rich and poor to-day,I think he has forgotten.PUCKHist, let me hideBehind this hawthorn bush till they are gone.[Enter theForesters—they all go into the cave exceptScarletandLittle John, who stand at the entrance, looking anxiously back.]LITTLE JOHNI have never known the time when Robin HoodSaid "I will surely come," and hath not beenPunctual as yonder evening star.SCARLETPray GodNo harm hath fallen him. Indeed he said,"Count on my coming."LITTLE JOHNI'll sound yet one more call.They say these Courts will spoil a forester.It may be he has missed the way. I'd giveMy sword-hand just to hear his jolly bugleAnswer me.[He blows a forest call. They listen. All is silent.]SCARLETSilence—only the sough of leaves!LITTLE JOHNWell, I'm for sleep: the moon is not so brightSince Robin left us.SCARLETHa! Shadow-of-a-Leaf, alone?I thought I heard thy voice.LITTLE JOHNOh, he will talkWith ferns and flowers and whisper to the mice!Perfectly happy, art thou not, dear fool?SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFPerfectly happy since I lost my wits!SCARLETPray that thou never dost regain them, then,Shadow-of-a-Leaf.SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFI thank you kindly, sir,And pray that you may quickly lose your own,And so be happy, too. Robin's away,But, if you'd lost your wits, you would not grieve.SCARLETGood-night, good fool.SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFI will not say "Good-night,"Wise man, for I am crazed, and so I know'Tis good, and yet you'll grieve. I wish you bothA bad night that will tease your wits awayAnd make you happy.[TheOutlawsenter the cave.Shadow-of-a-Leafbeckons toPuck, who steals out again.]PUCKShadow-of-a-Leaf, some changeIs creeping o'er the forest. I myselfScarce laugh so much since Robin went away!Oh, my head hangs as heavily as a violetBrimmed with the rain. Shadow-of-a-Leaf, a cloud,A whisper steals across this listening wood!I am growing afraid. Dear fool, I am thy Puck,But I am growing afraid there comes an endTo all our Sherwood revels, and I shall neverTease thee again.SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFHere comes the King![EnterOberon.]Hail, Oberon.King of the fairies, I strew ferns before you.There are no palms here: ferns do just as well!OBERONShadow-of-a-Leaf, our battles all are wasted;Our fairy dreams whereby we strove to warnRobin and Marian, wasted. Shadow-of-a-Leaf,Dear Robin Hood, the lover of the poor,And kind Maid Marian, our forest queen,Are in the toils at last![He pauses.]SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFSpeak, speak!OBERONPrince JohnHath trapped and taken Robin.SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFIs not RichardKing of this England? Did not Richard temptRobin, for Marian's sake, to leave the forest?Did he not swear upon the Holy CrossThat Robin should be Earl of HuntingdonAnd hold his lands in safety?OBERONOnly fearOf Richard held the wicked Prince in leash.But Richard roamed abroad again. Prince JohnWould murder Robin secretly.SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFWise menFight too much for these holy sepulchres!Are not the living images of GodBetter than empty graves?OBERONOne grave is filledNow; for our fairy couriers have broughtTidings that Richard Lion-Heart is dead.SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFDead?OBERONDead! In a few brief hours the news will reachThe wicked Prince. He will be King of England,With Marian in his power!SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFNo way to save them!OBERONWe cannot break our fairy vows of silence.A mortal, Shadow-of-a-Leaf, can break those vows,But only on pain of death.SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFOberon, I,Shadow-of-a-Leaf, the fool, must break my vows!I must save Robin Hood that he may saveMarian from worse than death.OBERONShadow-of-a-Leaf,Think what death means to you, never to joinOur happy sports again, never to seeThe moonlight streaming through these ancient oaksAgain, never to pass the fairy gatesAgain. We cannot help it. They will closeLike iron in your face, and you will hearOur happy songs within; but you will lieAlone, without, dying, and never a wordTo comfort you, no hand to touch your brow.SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFSo be it. I shall see them entering in!The time is brief. Quick, tell me, where is Robin?Quick, or the news that makes Prince John a kingWill ruin all.OBERONRobin is even nowThrust in the great dark tower beyond the wood,The topmost cell where foot can never climb.SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFCannot an arrow reach it? Ay, be swift;Come, lead me thither.OBERONI cannot disobeyThe word that kills the seed to raise the wheat,The word that—Shadow-of-a-Leaf, I think I knowNow, why great kings ride out to the Crusade.SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFQuickly, come, quickly![ExeuntOberonandShadow-of-a-Leaf.Puckremains staring after them, then vanishes with a sob, between the trees.Little JohnandScarletappear once more at the mouth of the cave.]SCARLETI thought I heard a voice.LITTLE JOHN'Twas only Shadow-of-a-Leaf again. He talksFor hours among the ferns, plays with the flowers,And whispers to the mice, perfectly happy!SCARLETI cannot rest for thinking that some harmHath chanced to Robin. Call him yet once more.[Little Johnblows his bugle. All is silent. They stand listening.]
PUCK
Shadow-of-a-Leaf! Shadow-of-a-Leaf! Shadow-of-a-Leaf!Don't dance away like that; don't hop; don't skipLike that, I tell you! I'll never do it again,I promise. Don't be silly now! Come here;I want to tell you something. Ah, that's right.Come, sit down here upon this bank of thyme"While I thine amiable ears"—Oh, no,Forgive me, ha! ha! ha!
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Now, Master Puck,You'll kindly keep your word! A foxglove sprayIn the right hand is deadlier than the swordThat mortals use, and one resounding thwackApplied to your slim fairyhood's green limbsWill make it painful, painful, very painful,Next time your worship wishes to sit downCross-legged upon a mushroom.
PUCK
Ha! ha! ha!Poor Shadow-of-a-Leaf!
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
You keep your word, that's all!
PUCK
Haven't I kept my word? Wasn't it IThat made you what these poor, dull mortals callCrazy? Who crowned you with the cap and bells?Who made you such a hopeless, glorious foolThat wise men are afraid of every wordYou utter? Wasn't it I that made you freeOf fairyland—that showed you how to pluckFern-seed by moonlight, and to walk and talkBetween the lights, with urchins and with elves?Is there another fool twixt earth and heavenLike you—ungrateful rogue—answer me that!
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
All true, dear gossip, and for saving meFrom the poor game of blind man's buff men callWisdom, I thank you; but to hang and buzzLike a mad dragon-fly, now on my nose,Now on my neck, now singing in my ears,Is that to make me free of fairyland?No—that's enough to make the poor fool madAnd take to human wisdom.
PUCK
Yet you love me,Ha! ha!—you love me more than all the rest.You can't deny it! You can't deny it! Ha! ha!
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
I won't deny it, gossip. E'en as I thinkThere must be something loves us creatures, Puck,More than the Churchmen say. We are so teasedWith thorns, bullied with briars, baffled with stars.I've lain sometimes and laughed until I criedTo see the round moon rising o'er these treesWith that same foolish face of heavenly mirthWinking at lovers in the blue-bell glade.
PUCK
Lovers! Ha! ha! I caught a pair of 'emLast night, behind the ruined chapel! Lovers!O Lord, these mortals, they'll be the death of me!Hist, who comes here?
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Scarlet and Little John,And all the merry men—not half so merrySince Robin went away. He was to comeAnd judge between the rich and poor to-day,I think he has forgotten.
PUCK
Hist, let me hideBehind this hawthorn bush till they are gone.
[Enter theForesters—they all go into the cave exceptScarletandLittle John, who stand at the entrance, looking anxiously back.]
LITTLE JOHN
I have never known the time when Robin HoodSaid "I will surely come," and hath not beenPunctual as yonder evening star.
SCARLET
Pray GodNo harm hath fallen him. Indeed he said,"Count on my coming."
LITTLE JOHN
I'll sound yet one more call.They say these Courts will spoil a forester.It may be he has missed the way. I'd giveMy sword-hand just to hear his jolly bugleAnswer me.
[He blows a forest call. They listen. All is silent.]
SCARLET
Silence—only the sough of leaves!
LITTLE JOHN
Well, I'm for sleep: the moon is not so brightSince Robin left us.
SCARLET
Ha! Shadow-of-a-Leaf, alone?I thought I heard thy voice.
LITTLE JOHN
Oh, he will talkWith ferns and flowers and whisper to the mice!Perfectly happy, art thou not, dear fool?
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Perfectly happy since I lost my wits!
SCARLET
Pray that thou never dost regain them, then,Shadow-of-a-Leaf.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
I thank you kindly, sir,And pray that you may quickly lose your own,And so be happy, too. Robin's away,But, if you'd lost your wits, you would not grieve.
SCARLET
Good-night, good fool.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
I will not say "Good-night,"Wise man, for I am crazed, and so I know'Tis good, and yet you'll grieve. I wish you bothA bad night that will tease your wits awayAnd make you happy.
[TheOutlawsenter the cave.Shadow-of-a-Leafbeckons toPuck, who steals out again.]
PUCK
Shadow-of-a-Leaf, some changeIs creeping o'er the forest. I myselfScarce laugh so much since Robin went away!Oh, my head hangs as heavily as a violetBrimmed with the rain. Shadow-of-a-Leaf, a cloud,A whisper steals across this listening wood!I am growing afraid. Dear fool, I am thy Puck,But I am growing afraid there comes an endTo all our Sherwood revels, and I shall neverTease thee again.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Here comes the King!
[EnterOberon.]
Hail, Oberon.King of the fairies, I strew ferns before you.There are no palms here: ferns do just as well!
OBERON
Shadow-of-a-Leaf, our battles all are wasted;Our fairy dreams whereby we strove to warnRobin and Marian, wasted. Shadow-of-a-Leaf,Dear Robin Hood, the lover of the poor,And kind Maid Marian, our forest queen,Are in the toils at last!
[He pauses.]
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Speak, speak!
OBERON
Prince JohnHath trapped and taken Robin.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Is not RichardKing of this England? Did not Richard temptRobin, for Marian's sake, to leave the forest?Did he not swear upon the Holy CrossThat Robin should be Earl of HuntingdonAnd hold his lands in safety?
OBERON
Only fearOf Richard held the wicked Prince in leash.But Richard roamed abroad again. Prince JohnWould murder Robin secretly.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Wise menFight too much for these holy sepulchres!Are not the living images of GodBetter than empty graves?
OBERON
One grave is filledNow; for our fairy couriers have broughtTidings that Richard Lion-Heart is dead.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Dead?
OBERON
Dead! In a few brief hours the news will reachThe wicked Prince. He will be King of England,With Marian in his power!
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
No way to save them!
OBERON
We cannot break our fairy vows of silence.A mortal, Shadow-of-a-Leaf, can break those vows,But only on pain of death.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Oberon, I,Shadow-of-a-Leaf, the fool, must break my vows!I must save Robin Hood that he may saveMarian from worse than death.
OBERON
Shadow-of-a-Leaf,Think what death means to you, never to joinOur happy sports again, never to seeThe moonlight streaming through these ancient oaksAgain, never to pass the fairy gatesAgain. We cannot help it. They will closeLike iron in your face, and you will hearOur happy songs within; but you will lieAlone, without, dying, and never a wordTo comfort you, no hand to touch your brow.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
So be it. I shall see them entering in!The time is brief. Quick, tell me, where is Robin?Quick, or the news that makes Prince John a kingWill ruin all.
OBERON
Robin is even nowThrust in the great dark tower beyond the wood,The topmost cell where foot can never climb.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Cannot an arrow reach it? Ay, be swift;Come, lead me thither.
OBERON
I cannot disobeyThe word that kills the seed to raise the wheat,The word that—Shadow-of-a-Leaf, I think I knowNow, why great kings ride out to the Crusade.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Quickly, come, quickly!
[ExeuntOberonandShadow-of-a-Leaf.Puckremains staring after them, then vanishes with a sob, between the trees.Little JohnandScarletappear once more at the mouth of the cave.]
SCARLET
I thought I heard a voice.
LITTLE JOHN
'Twas only Shadow-of-a-Leaf again. He talksFor hours among the ferns, plays with the flowers,And whispers to the mice, perfectly happy!
SCARLET
I cannot rest for thinking that some harmHath chanced to Robin. Call him yet once more.
[Little Johnblows his bugle. All is silent. They stand listening.]
Scene III.A gloomy cell.Robinbound.Prince Johnand two mercenaries. A low narrow door in the background, small barred window on the left.
PRINCE JOHN[To the Mercenaries.]Leave us a moment. I have private mattersTo lay before this friend of all the poor.You may begin to build the door up now,So that you do not wall me in with him.[The two men begin filling up the doorway with rude blocks of masonry.]So now, my good green foot-pad, you are trappedAt last, trapped in the practice of your trade!Trapped, as you took your stolen Norman goldTo what was it—a widow, or Saxon serfWith eye put out for breaking forest laws?You hold with them, it seems. Your dainty soulSickens at our gross penalties; and soWe'll not inflict them on your noble self,Although we have the power. There's not a soulCan ever tell where Robin Hood is gone.These walls will never echo it.[He taps the wall with his sword.]And yetThere surely must be finer ways to tortureSo fine a soul as yours. Was it not youWho gave me like a fairing to my brotherWith lofty condescension in your eyes;And shall I call my mercenaries inAnd bid them burn your eyes out with hot irons?Richard is gone—he'll never hear of it!An Earl that plays the robber disappears,That's all. Most like he died in some low scuffleOut in the greenwood. I am half inclinedTo call for red-hot irons after all,So that your sympathy with Saxon churlsMay be more deep, you understand; and thenIt would be sweet for you, alone and blind,To know that you could never in this lifeSee Marian's face again. But no—that's bad.Bad art to put hope's eyes out. It destroysHalf a man's fear to rob him of his hope.No; you shall drink the dregs of it. Hope shall dieMore exquisite a death. Robin, my friend,You understand that, when I quit your presence,This bare blank cell becomes your living tomb.Do you not comprehend? It's none so hard.The doorway will be built up. There will beNo door, you understand, but just a wall,Some six feet thick, of solid masonry.Nobody will disturb you, even to bringWater or food. You'll starve—see—like a rat,Bricked up and buried. But you'll have time to thinkOf how I tread a measure at the masqueTo-night, with Marian, while her wide eyes wonderWhere Robin is—and old Fitzwalter smilesAnd bids his girl be gracious to the PrinceFor his land's sake. Ah, ha! you wince at that!Will you not speak a word before I go?Speak, damn you![He strikesRobinacross the face with his glove.Robinremains silent.]Six days hence, if you keep watchAt yonder window (you'll be hungry then)You may catch sight of Marian and Prince JohnWandering into the gardens down below.You will be hungry then; perhaps you'll striveTo call to us, or stretch a meagre armThrough those strong bars; but then you know the heightIs very great—no voice can reach to the earth:This is the topmost cell in my Dark Tower.Men look like ants below there. I shall sayTo Marian, See that creature waving thereHigh up above us, level with the clouds,Is it not like a winter-shrivelled fly?And she will laugh; and I will pluck her roses.And then—and then—there are a hundred ways,You know, to touch a woman's blood with thoughtsBeyond its lawful limits. Ha! ha! ha!By God, you almost spoke to me, I think.Touches at twilight, whispers in the dark,Sweet sympathetic murmurs o'er the lossOf her so thoughtless Robin, do you thinkMaid Marian will be quite so hard to winWhen princes come to woo? There will be noneTo interrupt us then. Time will be mineTo practise all the amorous arts of Ovid,And, at the last—ROBINWill you not free my hands?You have your sword. But I would like to fight youHere, with my naked hands. I want no more.PRINCE JOHNHa! ha! At last the sullen speaks.That's allI wanted. I have struck you in the face.Is't not enough? You can't repay that blow.ROBINBury, me down in hell and I'll repay itThe day you die, across your lying mouthThat spoke of my true lady, I will repay it,Before the face of God!PRINCE JOHN[Laughing.]Meanwhile, for meTill you repay that blow, there is the mouthOf Marian, the sweet honey-making mouthThat shall forestall your phantom blow with balm.Oh, you'll go mad too soon if I delay.I am glad you spoke. Farewell, the masons wait.And I must not be late for Marian.[Exit thro' the small aperture now left in the doorway. It is rapidly closed and sounds of heavy masonry being piled against it are heard.Robintries to free his hands and after an effort, succeeds. He hurls himself against the doorway, and finds it hopeless. He turns to the window, peers through it for a moment, then suddenly unwinds a scarf from his neck, ties it to one of the bars and stands to one side.]ROBINToo high a shot for most of my good bowmen!What's that? A miss?[He looks thro' the window.]Good lad, he'll try again![He stands at the side once more and an arrow comes thro' the window.]Why, that's like magic![He pulls up the thread attached to it.]Softly, or 'twill break!—Ah, now 'tis sturdy cord.—I'll make it fast.But, how to break these bars!St. Nicholas,There's someone climbing. He must have a headOf iron, and the lightness of a cat!Downward is bad enough, but up is moreThan mortal! Who the devil can it be?Thank God, it's growing dark. But what a risk!None of my merry men could e'en attempt it.I'm very sure it can't be Little John.What, Shadow-of-a-Leaf![Shadow-of-a-Leafappears at the window.]'Fore God, dear faithful fool,I am glad to see you.SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFSoftly, gossip, softly,Pull up the rope a little until we breakThis bar away—or some kind friend may seeThe dangling end below. Now here's a toothpick,Six inches of grey steel, for you to work with,And here's another for me. Pick out the mortar![They work to loosen the bars.]Wait! Here's a rose I brought you in my capAnd here's a spray of fern! Old Nature's keysOpen all prisons, I'll throw them in for luck,[He throws them into the cell and begins working feverishly again.]So that the princes of the world may knowThe forest let you out. Down there on earth,If any sees me, they will only thinkThe creepers are in leaf. Pick out the mortar!That's how the greenwood works. You know, 'twill thrustIts tendrils through these big grey stones one dayAnd pull them down. I noticed in the courtyardThe grass is creeping though the crevicesAlready, and yellow dandelions crouchIn all the crumbling corners. Pick it out!This is a very righteous work indeedFor men in Lincoln green; for what are weBut tendrils of old Nature, herald sprays!We scarce anticipate. Pick the mortar out.Quick, there's no time to lose, although to-nightWe're in advance of sun and moon and starsAnd all the tackling sands in Time's turned glass.[With a sudden cry.]Richard is dead!ROBINRichard is dead! The KingIs dead!SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFAh, dead! Come, pick the mortar out,Out of the walls of towers and shrines and tombs!For now Prince John is King, and Lady MarianIn peril, gossip! Yet we are in advanceOf sun and moon to-night, for sweet Prince JohnIs not aware yet of his kinglihood,Or of his brother's death.ROBIN[Pausing a moment.]Why, Shadow-of-a-Leaf,What does this mean?SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFCome, pick the mortar out;You have no time to lose. This very nightMy Lady Marian must away to Sherwood.At any moment the dread word may comeThat makes John King of England. Quick, be quick!ROBINShe is at the masque to-night!SHADOW-OF-A-LEAFThen you must maskAnd fetch her thence! Ah, ha, the bar works loose.Pull it![They pull at the bar, get it free, and throw it into the cell.]Now, master, follow me down the rope.[ExitRobinthro' the window.]
PRINCE JOHN
[To the Mercenaries.]
Leave us a moment. I have private mattersTo lay before this friend of all the poor.You may begin to build the door up now,So that you do not wall me in with him.
[The two men begin filling up the doorway with rude blocks of masonry.]
So now, my good green foot-pad, you are trappedAt last, trapped in the practice of your trade!Trapped, as you took your stolen Norman goldTo what was it—a widow, or Saxon serfWith eye put out for breaking forest laws?You hold with them, it seems. Your dainty soulSickens at our gross penalties; and soWe'll not inflict them on your noble self,Although we have the power. There's not a soulCan ever tell where Robin Hood is gone.These walls will never echo it.
[He taps the wall with his sword.]
And yetThere surely must be finer ways to tortureSo fine a soul as yours. Was it not youWho gave me like a fairing to my brotherWith lofty condescension in your eyes;And shall I call my mercenaries inAnd bid them burn your eyes out with hot irons?Richard is gone—he'll never hear of it!An Earl that plays the robber disappears,That's all. Most like he died in some low scuffleOut in the greenwood. I am half inclinedTo call for red-hot irons after all,So that your sympathy with Saxon churlsMay be more deep, you understand; and thenIt would be sweet for you, alone and blind,To know that you could never in this lifeSee Marian's face again. But no—that's bad.Bad art to put hope's eyes out. It destroysHalf a man's fear to rob him of his hope.No; you shall drink the dregs of it. Hope shall dieMore exquisite a death. Robin, my friend,You understand that, when I quit your presence,This bare blank cell becomes your living tomb.Do you not comprehend? It's none so hard.The doorway will be built up. There will beNo door, you understand, but just a wall,Some six feet thick, of solid masonry.Nobody will disturb you, even to bringWater or food. You'll starve—see—like a rat,Bricked up and buried. But you'll have time to thinkOf how I tread a measure at the masqueTo-night, with Marian, while her wide eyes wonderWhere Robin is—and old Fitzwalter smilesAnd bids his girl be gracious to the PrinceFor his land's sake. Ah, ha! you wince at that!Will you not speak a word before I go?Speak, damn you!
[He strikesRobinacross the face with his glove.Robinremains silent.]
Six days hence, if you keep watchAt yonder window (you'll be hungry then)You may catch sight of Marian and Prince JohnWandering into the gardens down below.You will be hungry then; perhaps you'll striveTo call to us, or stretch a meagre armThrough those strong bars; but then you know the heightIs very great—no voice can reach to the earth:This is the topmost cell in my Dark Tower.Men look like ants below there. I shall sayTo Marian, See that creature waving thereHigh up above us, level with the clouds,Is it not like a winter-shrivelled fly?And she will laugh; and I will pluck her roses.And then—and then—there are a hundred ways,You know, to touch a woman's blood with thoughtsBeyond its lawful limits. Ha! ha! ha!By God, you almost spoke to me, I think.Touches at twilight, whispers in the dark,Sweet sympathetic murmurs o'er the lossOf her so thoughtless Robin, do you thinkMaid Marian will be quite so hard to winWhen princes come to woo? There will be noneTo interrupt us then. Time will be mineTo practise all the amorous arts of Ovid,And, at the last—
ROBINWill you not free my hands?You have your sword. But I would like to fight youHere, with my naked hands. I want no more.
PRINCE JOHN
Ha! ha! At last the sullen speaks.That's allI wanted. I have struck you in the face.Is't not enough? You can't repay that blow.
ROBIN
Bury, me down in hell and I'll repay itThe day you die, across your lying mouthThat spoke of my true lady, I will repay it,Before the face of God!
PRINCE JOHN
[Laughing.]
Meanwhile, for meTill you repay that blow, there is the mouthOf Marian, the sweet honey-making mouthThat shall forestall your phantom blow with balm.Oh, you'll go mad too soon if I delay.I am glad you spoke. Farewell, the masons wait.And I must not be late for Marian.
[Exit thro' the small aperture now left in the doorway. It is rapidly closed and sounds of heavy masonry being piled against it are heard.Robintries to free his hands and after an effort, succeeds. He hurls himself against the doorway, and finds it hopeless. He turns to the window, peers through it for a moment, then suddenly unwinds a scarf from his neck, ties it to one of the bars and stands to one side.]
ROBINToo high a shot for most of my good bowmen!What's that? A miss?
[He looks thro' the window.]
Good lad, he'll try again!
[He stands at the side once more and an arrow comes thro' the window.]
Why, that's like magic!
[He pulls up the thread attached to it.]
Softly, or 'twill break!—Ah, now 'tis sturdy cord.—I'll make it fast.But, how to break these bars!St. Nicholas,There's someone climbing. He must have a headOf iron, and the lightness of a cat!Downward is bad enough, but up is moreThan mortal! Who the devil can it be?Thank God, it's growing dark. But what a risk!None of my merry men could e'en attempt it.I'm very sure it can't be Little John.What, Shadow-of-a-Leaf!
[Shadow-of-a-Leafappears at the window.]
'Fore God, dear faithful fool,I am glad to see you.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Softly, gossip, softly,Pull up the rope a little until we breakThis bar away—or some kind friend may seeThe dangling end below. Now here's a toothpick,Six inches of grey steel, for you to work with,And here's another for me. Pick out the mortar!
[They work to loosen the bars.]
Wait! Here's a rose I brought you in my capAnd here's a spray of fern! Old Nature's keysOpen all prisons, I'll throw them in for luck,
[He throws them into the cell and begins working feverishly again.]
So that the princes of the world may knowThe forest let you out. Down there on earth,If any sees me, they will only thinkThe creepers are in leaf. Pick out the mortar!That's how the greenwood works. You know, 'twill thrustIts tendrils through these big grey stones one dayAnd pull them down. I noticed in the courtyardThe grass is creeping though the crevicesAlready, and yellow dandelions crouchIn all the crumbling corners. Pick it out!This is a very righteous work indeedFor men in Lincoln green; for what are weBut tendrils of old Nature, herald sprays!We scarce anticipate. Pick the mortar out.Quick, there's no time to lose, although to-nightWe're in advance of sun and moon and starsAnd all the tackling sands in Time's turned glass.
[With a sudden cry.]
Richard is dead!
ROBINRichard is dead! The KingIs dead!
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Ah, dead! Come, pick the mortar out,Out of the walls of towers and shrines and tombs!For now Prince John is King, and Lady MarianIn peril, gossip! Yet we are in advanceOf sun and moon to-night, for sweet Prince JohnIs not aware yet of his kinglihood,Or of his brother's death.
ROBIN
[Pausing a moment.]
Why, Shadow-of-a-Leaf,What does this mean?
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Come, pick the mortar out;You have no time to lose. This very nightMy Lady Marian must away to Sherwood.At any moment the dread word may comeThat makes John King of England. Quick, be quick!
ROBIN
She is at the masque to-night!
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Then you must maskAnd fetch her thence! Ah, ha, the bar works loose.Pull it!
[They pull at the bar, get it free, and throw it into the cell.]
Now, master, follow me down the rope.
[ExitRobinthro' the window.]
Scene IV.Night. The garden of the King's palace (as before), but lighted with torches for the masque. Music swells up and dies away continually. Maskers pass to and fro between the palace and the garden. On the broad terrace in front some of them are dancing a galliard.
[Prince Johnenters and is met byQueen Elinor,neither of them masked.]
ELINORAll safe?PRINCE JOHNAy, buried and bricked up now, to thinkAlone, in the black night, of all I told him.Thank God, we have heard the last of Robin Hood.ELINOR[She puts on her mask.]You are sure?PRINCE JOHNI saw him entombed with my own eyes!Six feet of solid masonry. Look there,There's the young knight you've lately made your own.Where is my Lady Marian? Ah, I see her!With that old hypocrite, Fitzwalter.[They part.Prince Johnputs on his mask as he goes.]A LADYBut tell meWhere is Prince John?A MASKERThat burly-shouldered manBy yonder pillar, talking with old Fitzwalter,And the masked girl, in green, with red-gold hair,Is Lady Marian!THE LADYWhere is Robin Hood?I have never seen him, but from all one hearsHe is a wood-god and a young Apollo,And a more chaste Actæon all in one.MASKEROh, ay, he never watched Diana bathing,Or, if he did, all Sherwood winked at it.Who knows? Do you believe a man and maidCan sleep out in the woods all night, as theseHave slept a hundred times, and put to shameOur first poor parents; throw the apple asideAnd float out of their leafy ParadiseLike angels?LADYNo; I fear the forest boughsCould tell sad tales. Oh, I imagine it—Married to Robin, by a fat hedge-priestUnder an altar of hawthorn, with a choirOf sparrows, and a spray of cuckoo-spitFor holy water! Oh, the modest chimeOf blue-bells from a fairy belfry, a veilOf evening mist, a robe of golden hair;A blade of grass for a ring; a band of thievesIn Lincoln green to witness the sweet bans;A glow-worm for a nuptial taper, a bedOf rose-leaves, and wild thyme and wood-doves' down.Quick! Draw the bridal curtains—three tall ferns—Across the cave mouth, lest a star should peepAnd make the wild rose leap into her face!Pish! A sweet maid! But where is Robin Hood?MASKERI know not; but he'd better have a careOf Mistress Marian. If I know Prince JohnHe has marked her for his own.LADYI cannot seeWhat fascinates him.MASKERNo, you are right, nor I.PRINCE JOHNCome, Lady Marian, let me lead you outTo tread a measure.MARIANPray, sir, pardon me!I am tired.FITZWALTER[Whispering angrily to her.]Now, Marian, be not so ungracious.You both abuse him and disparage us.His courtiers led the ladies they did choose.Do not displease him, girl. I pray you, go!Dance out your galliard. God's dear holy-bread,Y'are too forgetful. Dance, or by my troth,You'll move my patience. I say you do us wrong.MARIANI will do what you will. Lead, lead your dance.[ExeuntJohnandMarian.]FIRST MASKER[To a lady, as they come up from the garden.]Will you not let me see your face now, sweet?LADYYou hurt my lip with that last kiss of yours.Hush, do not lean your face so close, I pray you;Loosen my fingers. There's my lord.FIRST MASKERWhere? Where?Now, if I know him, I shall know your name!LADYThat tall man with the damozel in red.FIRST MASKEROh, never fear him. He, too, wore a mask!I saw them—[They pass out talking.]SECOND MASKER[Looking after them.]Saw you those two turtle-doves!SECOND LADYYes.SECOND MASKERCome with me, I'll show you where I caught themAmong the roses, half an hour ago.[They laugh and exeunt into the gardens. The music swells up and more dancers appear.][EnterRobin Hood, still in his forester's garb, but wearing a mask. He walks as if wounded and in pain. He sits down in the shadow of a pillar watching, and partly concealed from the throng.]THIRD LADYRemember now to say you did not see meHere at the masque.THIRD MASKEROr shall I say that IWas out in Palestine?[They pass. Enter littleArthur Plantagenet. He comes up toRobin Hood.]ARTHURAre you not Robin Hood?ROBINHush, Arthur. Don't you see I wear a maskLike all the rest to-night?ARTHURWhy do they wearMasks?ROBINThey must always wear some sort of maskAt court. Sometimes they wear them all their lives.ARTHURYou are jesting, Robin. Now I wanted youTo tell me tales of Sherwood. Tell me howYou saved Will Scarlet.ROBINWhy, I've told you thatA score of times.ARTHURI know, I want to hear itAgain. Well, tell me of that afternoonWhen Lion-Heart came home from the Crusade.I have often thought of that. It must have beenSplendid! You weren't expecting it at all?ROBINNo, not at all; but, Arthur, tell me firstHave you seen Lady Marian?ARTHURYes, I saw herTreading a measure with my Uncle John!ROBINStand where you are and watch; and, if you see her,Beckon her. Then I'll tell you how the KingCame home from the Crusade.ARTHURFirst, let me tell youJust how I think it was. It must have beenLike a great picture. All your outlaws thereSitting around your throne of turf, and youJudging the rich and poor. That's how it wasLast night, I dreamed of it; and you were takingThe baron's gold and giving it to the haltAnd blind; and then there was a great big lightBetween the trees, as if a star had comeDown to the earth and caught among the boughs,With beams like big soft swords amongst the fernsAnd leaves, and through the light a mighty steedStepped, and the King came home from the Crusade.Was it like that? Was there a shining light?ROBINI think there must have been, a blinding light,ARTHURFilling an arch of leaves?ROBINYes!ARTHURThat was it!That's how the King came home from the Crusade.ROBINBut there—you've told the story!ARTHURAh, not all!ROBINNo, not quite all. What's that?[The music suddenly stops. The maskers crowd together whispering excitedly.]ARTHURWhy have they stoppedThe music? Ah, there's Hubert. Shall I ask him?ROBINYes, quickly, and come back![Arthurruns up to a masker. Several go by hurriedly.]FIRST MASKERThe King is dead!SECOND MASKERWhere did it happen? France?FIRST MASKERI know not, sir![Arthurreturns.]ARTHURRobin, they say the King is dead! So JohnIs king now, is he not?ROBINAy, John is king!Now, tell me quickly, use your eyes, my boy,Where's Lady Marian?ARTHURAh, there she is at last,Alone!ROBINGo to her quickly, and bring her hither.[Arthurruns off and returns withMarian.]MARIANRobin, thank God, you have returned. I feared—ROBINNo more, dear heart, you must away to Sherwood!Shadow-of-a-Leaf is waiting by the orchardWith your white palfrey. Away, or the new kingWill hunt us down. I'll try to gain you time.Go—quickly!MARIANRobin, your face is white, you are wounded!What's this—there's blood upon your doublet!Robin!ROBINNothing! Go, quickly!MARIANRobin, I cannot leave you.ROBINGo, Marian. If you ever loved me, go.MARIANYou'll follow?ROBINOh, with my last breath I will,God helping me; but I must gain you time!Quickly! Here comes the King!MARIANOh, follow soon![Exit.][Robinsits down again, steadying himself against the pillar.Johnappears at the doors of the palace, above the terrace, a scroll in his hand.]JOHNMy friends, the King is dead!MASKERS[Taking off their masks, with a cry.]Long live King John!JOHN[Coming down amongst them.]Our masque is ended by this grievous news;But where's my Lady Marian? I had some wordTo speak with her! Not here! Why—ROBIN[Still masked, rises and confronts the King, who stares at him and shrinks back a little.]All the masksAre off, sire! No, perhaps they wear them still.JOHNWho is this?ROBINOne that was dead and lives. You sayYour brother, the great King, is dead. Oh, sire,If that be so, you'll hear a dead man speak,For your dead brother's sake. You say the KingIs dead; but you are king. So the King lives!You are King of England now from sea to sea,Is it not so? Shout, maskers, once again,Long live the King!MASKERSLong live the King!ROBINYou seeWhat power is yours! Your smile is life, your frownDeath. At a word from you the solid earthWould shake with tramp of armies. You can callThousands to throw away their lives like strawsUpon your side, if any foreign kingDare to affront you.[He draws nearer toJohn, who still shrinks a little, as if in fear.]Richard, you say, is dead,And yet, O King, I say that the great KingLives![He strikesJohnacross the face.Johncowers and staggers back. TheMaskersdraw their swords, the women scream and rush together.Robinturns, sword in hand, to confront theMaskers.]Back, fools; for I say that the great KingLives. Do not doubt it. Ye have dreamed him deadHow often. Hark, God in heaven, ye know that voice.[A voice is heard drawing nearer thro' the distant darkness of the garden, singing. All listen.John'sface whitens.][Song.]Knight, on the narrow way,Where wouldst thou ride?"Onward," I heard him say,"Love, to thy side."ROBIN'Tis Blondel! Still vaunt-courier to the King,As when he burst the bonds of Austria! Listen![Song nearer.]"Nay," sang a bird above,"Stay, for I seeDeath, in the mask of love,Waiting for thee."MASKERS[Resuming their masks and muttering to one another.]Can the King live? Is this John's treachery? Look,He is crushed with fear!ROBINListen! I'll go to meet him.[Exit into the garden.]MASKERSIt was the song of Blondel! The same songHe made with Richard, long since!—Blondel's voice!Just as we heard it on that summer's nightWhen Lion-Heart came home from the Crusade.[The Song still drawing nearer.]"Death! What is Death?" he cried."I must ride on,On to my true love's side,Up to her throne!"[EnterBlondel, from the garden. He stands, startled by the scene before him.]MASKERSBlondel! Where is the King? Where is the King?BLONDELDid ye not know?—Richard, the King, is dead!MASKERSDead!JOHNDead! And ye let the living dog escapeThat dared snarl at our sovereignty. I know him,Risen from the dead or not. I know 'twas he,'Twas Robin Hood! After him; hunt him down!Let him not live to greet another sun.After him!MASKERS[Drawing their swords and plunging into the darkness.]After him; hunt the villain down![Curtain.]
ELINOR
All safe?
PRINCE JOHN
Ay, buried and bricked up now, to thinkAlone, in the black night, of all I told him.Thank God, we have heard the last of Robin Hood.
ELINOR
[She puts on her mask.]
You are sure?
PRINCE JOHN
I saw him entombed with my own eyes!Six feet of solid masonry. Look there,There's the young knight you've lately made your own.Where is my Lady Marian? Ah, I see her!With that old hypocrite, Fitzwalter.
[They part.Prince Johnputs on his mask as he goes.]
A LADY
But tell meWhere is Prince John?
A MASKER
That burly-shouldered manBy yonder pillar, talking with old Fitzwalter,And the masked girl, in green, with red-gold hair,Is Lady Marian!
THE LADY
Where is Robin Hood?I have never seen him, but from all one hearsHe is a wood-god and a young Apollo,And a more chaste Actæon all in one.
MASKER
Oh, ay, he never watched Diana bathing,Or, if he did, all Sherwood winked at it.Who knows? Do you believe a man and maidCan sleep out in the woods all night, as theseHave slept a hundred times, and put to shameOur first poor parents; throw the apple asideAnd float out of their leafy ParadiseLike angels?
LADY
No; I fear the forest boughsCould tell sad tales. Oh, I imagine it—Married to Robin, by a fat hedge-priestUnder an altar of hawthorn, with a choirOf sparrows, and a spray of cuckoo-spitFor holy water! Oh, the modest chimeOf blue-bells from a fairy belfry, a veilOf evening mist, a robe of golden hair;A blade of grass for a ring; a band of thievesIn Lincoln green to witness the sweet bans;A glow-worm for a nuptial taper, a bedOf rose-leaves, and wild thyme and wood-doves' down.Quick! Draw the bridal curtains—three tall ferns—Across the cave mouth, lest a star should peepAnd make the wild rose leap into her face!Pish! A sweet maid! But where is Robin Hood?
MASKER
I know not; but he'd better have a careOf Mistress Marian. If I know Prince JohnHe has marked her for his own.
LADY
I cannot seeWhat fascinates him.
MASKER
No, you are right, nor I.
PRINCE JOHN
Come, Lady Marian, let me lead you outTo tread a measure.
MARIAN
Pray, sir, pardon me!I am tired.
FITZWALTER
[Whispering angrily to her.]
Now, Marian, be not so ungracious.You both abuse him and disparage us.His courtiers led the ladies they did choose.Do not displease him, girl. I pray you, go!Dance out your galliard. God's dear holy-bread,Y'are too forgetful. Dance, or by my troth,You'll move my patience. I say you do us wrong.
MARIAN
I will do what you will. Lead, lead your dance.
[ExeuntJohnandMarian.]
FIRST MASKER
[To a lady, as they come up from the garden.]
Will you not let me see your face now, sweet?
LADY
You hurt my lip with that last kiss of yours.Hush, do not lean your face so close, I pray you;Loosen my fingers. There's my lord.
FIRST MASKER
Where? Where?Now, if I know him, I shall know your name!
LADY
That tall man with the damozel in red.
FIRST MASKER
Oh, never fear him. He, too, wore a mask!I saw them—
[They pass out talking.]
SECOND MASKER
[Looking after them.]
Saw you those two turtle-doves!
SECOND LADY
Yes.
SECOND MASKER
Come with me, I'll show you where I caught themAmong the roses, half an hour ago.
[They laugh and exeunt into the gardens. The music swells up and more dancers appear.]
[EnterRobin Hood, still in his forester's garb, but wearing a mask. He walks as if wounded and in pain. He sits down in the shadow of a pillar watching, and partly concealed from the throng.]
THIRD LADY
Remember now to say you did not see meHere at the masque.
THIRD MASKER
Or shall I say that IWas out in Palestine?
[They pass. Enter littleArthur Plantagenet. He comes up toRobin Hood.]
ARTHUR
Are you not Robin Hood?
ROBIN
Hush, Arthur. Don't you see I wear a maskLike all the rest to-night?
ARTHUR
Why do they wearMasks?
ROBIN
They must always wear some sort of maskAt court. Sometimes they wear them all their lives.
ARTHUR
You are jesting, Robin. Now I wanted youTo tell me tales of Sherwood. Tell me howYou saved Will Scarlet.
ROBIN
Why, I've told you thatA score of times.
ARTHUR
I know, I want to hear itAgain. Well, tell me of that afternoonWhen Lion-Heart came home from the Crusade.I have often thought of that. It must have beenSplendid! You weren't expecting it at all?
ROBIN
No, not at all; but, Arthur, tell me firstHave you seen Lady Marian?
ARTHUR
Yes, I saw herTreading a measure with my Uncle John!
ROBIN
Stand where you are and watch; and, if you see her,Beckon her. Then I'll tell you how the KingCame home from the Crusade.
ARTHUR
First, let me tell youJust how I think it was. It must have beenLike a great picture. All your outlaws thereSitting around your throne of turf, and youJudging the rich and poor. That's how it wasLast night, I dreamed of it; and you were takingThe baron's gold and giving it to the haltAnd blind; and then there was a great big lightBetween the trees, as if a star had comeDown to the earth and caught among the boughs,With beams like big soft swords amongst the fernsAnd leaves, and through the light a mighty steedStepped, and the King came home from the Crusade.Was it like that? Was there a shining light?
ROBIN
I think there must have been, a blinding light,
ARTHUR
Filling an arch of leaves?
ROBIN
Yes!
ARTHUR
That was it!That's how the King came home from the Crusade.
ROBIN
But there—you've told the story!
ARTHUR
Ah, not all!
ROBIN
No, not quite all. What's that?
[The music suddenly stops. The maskers crowd together whispering excitedly.]
ARTHUR
Why have they stoppedThe music? Ah, there's Hubert. Shall I ask him?
ROBIN
Yes, quickly, and come back!
[Arthurruns up to a masker. Several go by hurriedly.]
FIRST MASKER
The King is dead!
SECOND MASKER
Where did it happen? France?
FIRST MASKER
I know not, sir!
[Arthurreturns.]
ARTHUR
Robin, they say the King is dead! So JohnIs king now, is he not?
ROBIN
Ay, John is king!Now, tell me quickly, use your eyes, my boy,Where's Lady Marian?
ARTHUR
Ah, there she is at last,Alone!
ROBIN
Go to her quickly, and bring her hither.
[Arthurruns off and returns withMarian.]
MARIAN
Robin, thank God, you have returned. I feared—
ROBIN
No more, dear heart, you must away to Sherwood!Shadow-of-a-Leaf is waiting by the orchardWith your white palfrey. Away, or the new kingWill hunt us down. I'll try to gain you time.Go—quickly!
MARIAN
Robin, your face is white, you are wounded!What's this—there's blood upon your doublet!Robin!
ROBIN
Nothing! Go, quickly!
MARIAN
Robin, I cannot leave you.
ROBIN
Go, Marian. If you ever loved me, go.
MARIAN
You'll follow?
ROBIN
Oh, with my last breath I will,God helping me; but I must gain you time!Quickly! Here comes the King!
MARIAN
Oh, follow soon!
[Exit.]
[Robinsits down again, steadying himself against the pillar.Johnappears at the doors of the palace, above the terrace, a scroll in his hand.]
JOHN
My friends, the King is dead!
MASKERS
[Taking off their masks, with a cry.]
Long live King John!
JOHN
[Coming down amongst them.]
Our masque is ended by this grievous news;But where's my Lady Marian? I had some wordTo speak with her! Not here! Why—
ROBIN
[Still masked, rises and confronts the King, who stares at him and shrinks back a little.]
All the masksAre off, sire! No, perhaps they wear them still.
JOHN
Who is this?
ROBIN
One that was dead and lives. You sayYour brother, the great King, is dead. Oh, sire,If that be so, you'll hear a dead man speak,For your dead brother's sake. You say the KingIs dead; but you are king. So the King lives!You are King of England now from sea to sea,Is it not so? Shout, maskers, once again,Long live the King!
MASKERS
Long live the King!
ROBIN
You seeWhat power is yours! Your smile is life, your frownDeath. At a word from you the solid earthWould shake with tramp of armies. You can callThousands to throw away their lives like strawsUpon your side, if any foreign kingDare to affront you.
[He draws nearer toJohn, who still shrinks a little, as if in fear.]
Richard, you say, is dead,And yet, O King, I say that the great KingLives!
[He strikesJohnacross the face.Johncowers and staggers back. TheMaskersdraw their swords, the women scream and rush together.Robinturns, sword in hand, to confront theMaskers.]
Back, fools; for I say that the great KingLives. Do not doubt it. Ye have dreamed him deadHow often. Hark, God in heaven, ye know that voice.
[A voice is heard drawing nearer thro' the distant darkness of the garden, singing. All listen.John'sface whitens.]
[Song.]
Knight, on the narrow way,Where wouldst thou ride?"Onward," I heard him say,"Love, to thy side."
ROBIN
'Tis Blondel! Still vaunt-courier to the King,As when he burst the bonds of Austria! Listen!
[Song nearer.]
"Nay," sang a bird above,"Stay, for I seeDeath, in the mask of love,Waiting for thee."
MASKERS
[Resuming their masks and muttering to one another.]
Can the King live? Is this John's treachery? Look,He is crushed with fear!
ROBINListen! I'll go to meet him.
[Exit into the garden.]
MASKERS
It was the song of Blondel! The same songHe made with Richard, long since!—Blondel's voice!Just as we heard it on that summer's nightWhen Lion-Heart came home from the Crusade.
[The Song still drawing nearer.]
"Death! What is Death?" he cried."I must ride on,On to my true love's side,Up to her throne!"
[EnterBlondel, from the garden. He stands, startled by the scene before him.]
MASKERS
Blondel! Where is the King? Where is the King?
BLONDEL
Did ye not know?—Richard, the King, is dead!
MASKERS
Dead!
JOHN
Dead! And ye let the living dog escapeThat dared snarl at our sovereignty. I know him,Risen from the dead or not. I know 'twas he,'Twas Robin Hood! After him; hunt him down!Let him not live to greet another sun.After him!
MASKERS
[Drawing their swords and plunging into the darkness.]
After him; hunt the villain down!
[Curtain.]