Chapter 2

Saxon homestead. The SHERIFF and his men are struggling with a SERF._

SERF

No, no, not that! not that! If you should blind me God will repay you. Kill me out of hand!

[_Enter PRINCE JOHN and several of his retainers._]

JOHN

Who is this night-jar?

[_The retainers laugh._]

Surely, master Sheriff, You should have cut its tongue out, first. Its cries Tingle so hideously across the wood They'll wake the King in Palestine. Small wonder That Robin Hood evades you.

SHERIFF

[_To the SERF._]

Silence, dog, Know you not better than to make this clamour Before Prince John?

SERF

Prince John! It is Prince John! For God's love save me, sir!

JOHN

Whose thrall is he?

SHERIFF

I know not, sir, but he was caught red-handed Killing the king's deer. By the forest law He should of rights be blinded; for, as you see,

[_He indicates the SERF'S right hand._]

'Tis not his first deer at King Richard's cost.

JOHN

'Twill save you trouble if you say at mine.

SHERIFF

Ay, sir, I pray your pardon--at _your_ cost! His right hand lacks the thumb and arrow-finger, And though he vows it was a falling tree That crushed them, you may trust your Sheriff, sir, It was the law that clipped them when he last Hunted your deer.

SERF

Prince, when the Conqueror came, They burned my father's homestead with the rest To make the King a broader hunting-ground. I have hunted there for food. How could I bear To hear my hungry children crying? Prince, They'll make good bowmen for your wars, one day.

JOHN

He is much too fond of 'Prince': he'll never live To see a king. Whose thrall?--his iron collar, Look, is the name not on it?

SHERIFF

Sir, the name Is filed away, and in another hour The ring would have been broken. He is one of those Green adders of the moon, night-creeping thieves Whom Huntingdon has tempted to the woods. These desperate ruffians flee their lawful masters And flock around the disaffected Earl Like ragged rooks around an elm, by scores! And now, i' faith, the sun of Huntingdon Is setting fast. They've well nigh beggared him, Eaten him out of house and home. They say That, when we make him outlaw, we shall find Nought to distrain upon, but empty cupboards.

JOHN

Did you not serve him once yourself?

SHERIFF

Oh, ay, He was more prosperous then. But now my cupboards Are full, and his are bare. Well, I'd think scorn To share a crust with outcast churls and thieves, Doffing his dignity, letting them call him Robin, or Robin Hood, as if an Earl Were just a plain man, which he will be soon, When we have served our writ of outlawry! 'Tis said he hopes much from the King's return And swears by Lion-Heart; and though King Richard Is brother to yourself, 'tis all the more Ungracious, sir, to hope he should return, And overset your rule. But then--to keep Such base communications! Myself would think it Unworthy of my sheriffship, much more Unworthy a right Earl.

JOHN

You talk too much! This whippet, here, slinks at his heel, you say. Mercy may close her eyes, then. Take him off, Blind him or what you will; and let him thank His master for it. But wait--perhaps he knows Where we may trap this young patrician thief. Where is your master?

SERF

Where you'll never find him.

JOHN

Oh, ho! the dog is faithful! Take him away. Get your red business done, I shall require Your men to ride with me.

SHERIFF

[_To his men._]

Take him out yonder, A bow-shot into the wood, so that his clamour Do not offend my lord. Delay no time, The irons are hot by this. They'll give you light Enough to blind him by.

SERF

[_Crying out and struggling as he is forced back into the forest._]

No, no, not that! God will repay you! Kill me out of hand!

SHERIFF

[_To PRINCE JOHN._]

There is a kind of justice in all this. The irons being heated in that fire, my lord, Which was his hut, aforetime.

[_Some of the men take the glowing irons from the fire and follow into the wood._]

There's no need To parley with him, either. The snares are laid For Robin Hood. He goes this very night To his betrothal feast.

JOHN

Betrothal feast!

SHERIFF

At old Fitzwalter's castle, sir.

JOHN

Ha! ha! There will be one more guest there than he thought! Ourselves are riding thither. We intended My Lady Marian for a happier fate Than bride to Robin Hood. Your plans are laid To capture him?

SHERIFF

[_Consequentially._]

It was our purpose, sir, To serve the writ of outlawry upon him And capture him as he came forth.

JOHN

That's well. Then--let him disappear--you understand?

SHERIFF

I have your warrant, sir? Death? A great Earl?

JOHN

Why, first declare him outlawed at his feast! 'Twill gladden the tremulous heart of old Fitzwalter With his prospective son-in-law; and then-- No man will overmuch concern himself Whither an outlaw goes. You understand?

SHERIFF

It shall be done, sir.

JOHN

But the Lady Marian! By heaven, I'll take her. I'll banish old Fitzwalter If he prevent my will in this. You'll bring How many men to ring the castle round?

SHERIFF

A good five score of bowmen.

JOHN

Then I'll take her This very night as hostage for Fitzwalter, Since he consorts with outlaws. These grey rats Will gnaw my kingdom's heart out. For 'tis mine, This England, now or later. They that hold By Richard, as their absent king, would make My rule a usurpation. God, am I My brother's keeper?

[_There is a cry in the forest from the SERF, who immediately afterwards appears at the edge of the glade, shaking himself free from his guards. He seizes a weapon and rushes at PRINCE JOHN. One of the retainers runs him through and he falls at the PRINCE'S feet._]

JOHN

That's a happy answer!

SHERIFF

[_Stooping over the body._]

He is dead.

JOHN

I am sorry. It were better sport To send him groping like a hoodman blind Through Sherwood, whimpering for his Robin. Come, I'll ride with you to this betrothal feast. Now for my Lady Marian!

[_Exeunt all. A pause. The scene darkens. Shadowy figures creep out from the thickets, of old men, women and children._]

FIRST OLD MAN

[_Stretching his arms up to Heaven._]

God, am I My brother's keeper? Witness, God in heaven, He said it and not we--Cain's word, he said it!

FIRST WOMAN

[_Kneeling by the body._]

O Father, Father, and the blood of Abel Cries to thee!

A BLIND MAN

Is there any light here still? I feel a hot breath on my face. The dark Is better for us all. I am sometimes glad They blinded me those many years ago. Princes are princes; and God made the world For one or two it seems. Well, I am glad I cannot see His world.

FIRST WOMAN

[_Still by the body and whispering to the others._]

Keep him away. 'Tis as we thought. The dead man is his son. Keep him away, poor soul. He need not know.

[_Some of the men carry the body among the thickets._]

A CHILD

Mother, I'm hungry, I'm hungry!

FIRST OLD MAN

There's no food For any of us to-night. The snares are empty, And I can try no more.

THE BLIND MAN

Wait till my son Comes back. He's a rare hunter is my boy. You need not fret, poor little one. My son Is much too quick and clever for the Sheriff. He'll bring you something good. Why, ha! ha! ha! Friends, I've a thought--the Sheriff's lit the fire Ready for us to roast our meat. Come, come, Let us be merry while we may! My boy Will soon come back with food for the old folks. The fire burns brightly, eh?

SECOND OLD MAN

The fire that feeds On hope and eats our hearts away. They've burnt Everything, everything!

THE BLIND MAN

Ah, princes are princes! But when the King comes home from the Crusade, We shall have better times.

FIRST OLD MAN

Ay, when the King Comes home from the Crusade.

CHILD

Mother, I'm hungry.

SECOND WOMAN

Oh, but if I could only find a crust Left by the dogs. Masters, the child will starve. We must have food.

THE BLIND MAN

I tell you when my boy Comes back, we shall have plenty!

FIRST WOMAN

God pity thee!

THE BLIND MAN

What dost thou mean?

SECOND WOMAN

Masters, the child will starve.

FIRST OLD MAN

Hist, who comes here--a forester?

THE BLIND MAN

We'd best Slip back into the dark.

FIRST WOMAN

[_Excitedly._]

No, stay! All's well. There's Shadow-of-a-Leaf, good Lady Marian's fool Beside him!

THE BLIND MAN

Ah, they say there's fairy blood In Shadow-of-a-Leaf. But I've no hopes of more From him, than wild bees' honey-bags.

[_Enter LITTLE JOHN, a giant figure, leading a donkey, laden with a sack. On the other side, SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF trips, a slender figure in green trunk-hose and doublet. He is tickling the donkey's ears with a long fern._]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Gee! Whoa! Neddy, my boy, have you forgot the Weaver, And how Titania tickled your long ears? Ha! ha! Don't ferns remind you?

LITTLE JOHN

Friends, my master Hath sent me to you, fearing ye might hunger.

FIRST OLD MAN

Thy master?

LITTLE JOHN

Robin Hood.

SECOND WOMAN

[_Falling on her knees._]

God bless his name. God bless the kindly name of Robin Hood.

LITTLE JOHN

[_Giving them food._]

'Tis well nigh all that's left him; and to-night He goes to his betrothal feast.

[_All the outcasts except the first old man exeunt._]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[_Pointing to the donkey._]

Now look, There's nothing but that shadow of a cross On his grey back to tell you of the palms That once were strewn before my Lord, the King. Won't ferns, won't branching ferns, do just as well? There's only a dream to ride my donkey now! But, Neddy, I'll lead you home and cry--HOSANNA! We'll thread the glad Gate Beautiful again, Though now there's only a Fool to hold your bridle And only moonlit ferns to strew your path, And the great King is fighting for a grave In lands beyond the sea. Come, Neddy, come, Hosanna!

[_Exit SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF with the donkey. He strews ferns before it as he goes._]

FIRST OLD MAN

'Tis a strange creature, master! Thinkest There's fairy blood in him?

LITTLE JOHN

'Twas he that brought Word of your plight to Robin Hood. He flits Like Moonshine thro' the forest. He'll be home Before I know it. I must be hastening back. This makes a sad betrothal night.

FIRST OLD MAN

That minds me, Couched in the thicket yonder, we overheard The Sheriff tell Prince John....

LITTLE JOHN

Prince John!

FIRST OLD MAN

You'd best Warn Robin Hood. They're laying a trap for him. Ay! Now I mind me of it! I heard 'em say They'd take him at the castle.

LITTLE JOHN

To-night?

FIRST OLD MAN

To-night! Fly, lad, for God's dear love. Warn Robin Hood! Fly like the wind, or you'll be there too late. And yet you'd best be careful. There's five score In ambush round the castle.

LITTLE JOHN

I'll be there An if I have to break five hundred heads!

[_He rushes off thro' the forest. The old man goes into the thicket after the others. The scene darkens. A soft light, as of the moon, appears between the ferns to the right of the glade, showing OBERON and TITANIA._]

TITANIA

Yet one night more the gates of fairyland Are opened by a mortal's kindly deed.

OBERON

Last night the gates were shut, and I heard weeping! Men, women, children, beat upon the gates That guard our happy world. They could not sleep. Titania, must not that be terrible, When mortals cannot sleep?

TITANIA

Yet one night more Dear Robin Hood has opened the gates wide And their poor weary souls can enter in.

OBERON

Yet one night more we woodland elves may steal Out thro' the gates. I fear the time will come When they must close for ever; and we no more Shall hold our Sherwood revels.

TITANIA

Only love And love's kind sacrifice can open them. For when a mortal hurts himself to help Another, then he thrusts the gates wide open Between his world and ours.

OBERON

Ay, but that's rare, That kind of love, Titania, for the gates Are almost always closed.

TITANIA

Yet one night more! Hark, how the fairy host begins to sing Within the gates. Wait here and we shall see What weary souls by grace of Robin Hood This night shall enter Dreamland. See, they come!

[_The soft light deepens in the hollow among the ferns and the ivory gates of Dreamland are seen swinging open. The fairy host is heard, singing to invite the mortals to enter._]

[_Song of the fairies._]

The Forest shall conquer! The Forest shall conquer! The Forest shall conquer! Your world is growing old; But a Princess sleeps in the greenwood, Whose hair is brighter than gold.

The Forest shall conquer! The Forest shall conquer! The Forest shall conquer! O hearts that bleed and burn, Her lips are redder than roses, Who sleeps in the faëry fern.

The Forest shall conquer! The Forest shall conquer! The Forest shall conquer! By the Beauty that wakes anew Milk-white with the fragrant hawthorn In the drip of the dawn-red dew.

The Forest shall conquer! The Forest shall conquer! The Forest shall conquer! O hearts that are weary of pain, Come back to your home in Faërie And wait till she wakes again.

[_The victims of the forest-laws steal out of the thicket once more--dark, distorted, lame, blind, serfs with iron collars round their necks, old men, women and children; and as the fairy song breaks into chorus they pass in procession thro' the beautiful gates. The gates slowly close. The fairy song is heard as dying away in the distance._]

TITANIA

[_Coming out into the glade and holding up her hands to the evening star beyond the tree-tops._]

Shine, shine, dear star of Love, yet one night more.