Chapter 6
SCARLET._
MARIAN
This dreadful waiting! How I wish that Robin Had listened to the rest and stayed with me. How still the woods are! Jenny, do you think There will be fighting? Oh, I am selfish, mother; You need not be afraid. Robin will bring Will Scarlet safely back to Sherwood. Why, Perhaps they are all returning even now! Cheer up! How long d'you think they've been away, Jenny, six hours or more? The sun is high, And all the dew is gone.
JENNY
Nay, scarce three hours. Now don't you keep a-fretting. They'll be back, Quite soon enough. I've scarcely spoke with you, This last three days and more; and even now It seems I cannot get you to myself, Two's quite enough.
[_To WIDOW SCARLET._]
Come, widow, come with me. I'll give you my own corner in the hut And make you cosy. If you take a nap Will Scarlet will be here betimes you wake.
[_Takes her to the hut and shuts her in._]
There, drat her, for a mumping mumble-crust!
MARIAN
Come, Jenny, that's too bad; the poor old dame Is lonely.
JENNY
She's not lonely when she sleeps, And if I never get you to myself Where was the good of trapesing after you And living here in Sherwood like wild rabbits? You ha'nt so much as let me comb your hair This last three days and more.
MARIAN
Well, comb it, Jenny, Now, if you like, and comb it all day long; But don't get crabbed, and don't speak so crossly!
[_JENNY begins loosening MARIAN'S hair and combing it._]
JENNY
Why, Mistress, it grows longer every day. It's far below your knees, and how it shines! And wavy, just like Much the Miller's brook, Where it comes tumbling out into the sun, Like gold, red gold.
MARIAN
Ah, that's provoking, Jenny, For you forgot to bring me my steel glass, And, if you chatter so, I shall soon want it.
JENNY
I've found a very good one at a pinch. There's a smooth silver pool, down in the stream, Where you can see your face most beautiful.
MARIAN
So that's how Jenny spends her lonely hours, A sad female Narcissus, while poor Much Dwines to an Echo!
JENNY
I don't like those gods. I never cared for them. But, as for Much, Much is the best of all the merry men. And, mistress, O, he speaks so beautifully, It _might_ be just an Echo from blue hills Far, far away! You see he's quite a scholar: Much, more an' most (That's what he calls the three Greasy caparisons--much, more an' most)! You see they thought that being so very small They could not make him grow to be a man, They'd make a scholar of him instead. The Friar Taught him his letters. He can write his name, And mine, and yours, just like a missal book, In lovely colours; and he always draws The first big letter of JENNY like a tree With naked Cupids hiding in the branches. Mistress, I don't believe you hear one word I ever speak to you! Your eyes are always That far and far away.
MARIAN
I'm listening, Jenny!
JENNY
Well, when he draws the first big M of yours, He makes it like a bridge from earth to heaven, With white-winged angels passing up and down; And, underneath the bridge, in a black stream, He puts the drowning face of the bad Prince Holding his wicked hands out, while a devil Stands on the bank and with a pointed stake Keeps him from landing-- Ah, what's that? What's that?
MARIAN
O Jenny, how you startled me!
JENNY
I thought I saw that same face peering thro' the ferns Yonder--there--see, they are shaking still.
[_She screams._]
Ah! Ah!
[_PRINCE JOHN and another man appear advancing across the glade._]
JOHN
So here's my dainty tigress in her den, And--Warman--there's a pretty scrap for you Beside her. Now, sweet mistress, will you deign To come with me, to change these cheerless woods For something queenlier? If I be not mistaken, You have had time to tire of that dark cave. Was I not right, now? Surely you can see Those tresses were not meant to waste their gold Upon this desert. Nay, but Marian, hear me. I do not jest.
[_At a sign from MARIAN, JENNY goes quickly inside the cave._]
That's well! Dismiss your maid! Warman, remove a little.
[_His man retires._]
I see you think A little better of me! Out in the wood There waits a palfrey for you, and the stirrup Longs, as I long, to clasp your dainty foot. I am very sure by this you must be tired Of outlawry, a lovely maid like you.
[_He draws nearer._]
MARIAN
Wait--I must think, must think.
JOHN
Give me your hand! Why do you shrink from me? If you could know The fire that burns me night and day, you would not Refuse to let me snatch one cooling kiss From that white hand of yours.
MARIAN
If you be prince, You will respect my loneliness and go.
JOHN
How can I leave you, when by day and night I see that face of yours. I'll not pretend I do not love you, do not long for you, Desire and hunger for your kiss, your touch! I'll not pretend to be a saint, you see! I hunger and thirst for you. Marian, Marian.
MARIAN
You are mad!
JOHN
Ay, mad for you. Body and soul I am broken up with love for you. Your eyes Flash like the eyes of a tigress, and I love them The better for it. Ah, do not shrink from me!
[_JENNY comes out of the cave and hands MARIAN a bow. She leaps back and aims it at JOHN._]
MARIAN
Back, you wild beast, or by the heaven above us, I'll kill you! Now, don't doubt me. I can shoot Truly as any forester. I swear, Prince or no prince, king or no king, I'll kill you If you should stir one step from where you stand.
JOHN
Come, come, sweet Marian, put that weapon down. I was beside myself, was carried away. I cannot help my love for--
MARIAN
I'll not hear Another sickening word: throw down your arms, That dagger at your side.
JOHN
Oh, that's too foolish, Marian, I swear--
MARIAN
You see that rusty stain Upon the silver birch down yonder? Watch.
[_She shoots. Then swiftly aims at him again._]
Now, throw your weapon down.
[_He pulls out the dagger and throws it down, with a shrug of his shoulders. One of his men steals up behind MARIAN._]
JENNY
Ah, Mistress Marian, There's one behind you! Look!
[_The man springs forward and seizes MARIAN'S arms._]
JOHN
[_Coming forward and taking hold of her also._]
So, my sweet tigress, You're trapped then, are you? Well, we'll waste no time! We'll talk this over when we reach the castle. Keep off the maid, there, Warman; I can manage This turbulent beauty. Ah, by God, you shall Come! Ah? God's blood, what's this?
[_MARIAN has succeeded in drawing her dagger and slightly wounding him. She wrests herself free._]
MARIAN
Keep back, I warn you!
JOHN
[_Advancing slowly._]
Strike, now strike if you will. You will not like To see the red blood spurting up your hand. That's not maid's work. Come, strike!
[_ROBIN HOOD appears at the edge of the glade behind him_]
You see, you cannot! Your heart is tenderer than you think.
ROBIN
[_Quietly._]
Prince John!
JOHN
[_Turns round and confronts ROBIN._]
Out with your blade, Warman; call up the rest! We can strike freely now, without a fear Of marring the sweet beauty of the spoil. We four can surely make an end of him. Have at him, lads, and swiftly, or the thieves Will all be down on us.
[_ROBIN draws his sword and sets his back to an oak. The other two followers of PRINCE JOHN come out of the wood._]
ROBIN
Come on, all four! This oak will shift its roots before I budge One inch from four such howling wolves. Come on; You must be tired of fighting women-folk. Come on! By God, sir, you must guard your head Better than that,
[_He disarms WARMAN._]
Or you're just food for worms Already; come, you dogs!
PRINCE JOHN
Work round, you three, Behind him! Drive him out from that damned oak!
ROBIN
Oh, that's a princely speech! Have at you, sir!
[_He strikes PRINCE JOHN'S sword out of his hand and turns suddenly to confront the others. JOHN picks up a dagger and makes as if to stab ROBIN in the back. At the same instant, bugles are heard in the distance. The red-cross knight flashes between the trees and seizing JOHN'S arm in his gauntleted hand, disarms him, then turns to help ROBIN._]
KNIGHT
What, four on one! Down with your blades, you curs, Or, by Mahound!--
[_The three men take to flight. JOHN stands staring at the newcomer. The FORESTERS appear, surrounding the glade._]
JOHN
[_Muttering._]
What? Thou? Thou? Or his ghost? No--no--it cannot be.
ROBIN
Let them yelp home, The pitiful jackals. They have left behind The prime offender. Ha, there, my merry lads, All's well; but take this villain into the cave And guard him there.
[_The FORESTERS lead PRINCE JOHN into the cave._]
JOHN
[_To the FORESTERS._]
Answer me one thing: who Is yonder red-cross knight?
A FORESTER
No friend of thine, Whoe'er he be!
KNIGHT
[_To ROBIN._]
I need not ask _his_ name. I grieve to know it!
ROBIN
Sir, I am much beholden To your good chivalry. What thanks is mine To give, is all your own.
KNIGHT
Then I ask this! Give me that prisoner! I think his life is mine.
ROBIN
You saved my own, and more, you saved much more Than my poor life is worth. But, sir, think well! This man is dangerous, not to me alone, But to the King of England; for he'll yet Usurp the throne! Think well!
KNIGHT
I ask no more. I have more reasons than you know.
ROBIN
So be it. Ho! Bring the prisoner back!
[_The FORESTERS bring PRINCE JOHN back. He stares at the KNIGHT as if in fear._]
Sir, you shall judge him. This prisoner is your own.
KNIGHT
Then--let him go!
FORESTERS
What! Set him free?
ROBIN
Obey!
[_They release PRINCE JOHN._]
KNIGHT
Out of my sight; Go!
PRINCE JOHN
What man is this?
KNIGHT
Quickly, get thee gone!
[_PRINCE JOHN goes out, shaken and white._]
ROBIN
We'll think no more of him! It is our rule That whomsoe'er we meet in merry greenwood Should dine with us. Will you not be our guest?
KNIGHT
That's a most happy thought! I have not heard A merrier word than dinner all this day. I am well-nigh starved.
ROBIN
Will you not raise your visor And let us know to whose good knightly hand We are so beholden?
KNIGHT
Sir, you will pardon me, If, for a little, I remain unknown. But, tell me, are you not that Robin Hood Who breaks the forest laws?
ROBIN
That is my name. We hold this earth as naturally our own As the glad common air we breathe. We think No man, no king, can so usurp the world As not to give us room to live free lives, But, if you shrink from eating the King's deer--
KNIGHT
Shrink? Ha! ha! ha! I count it as my own!
[_The FORESTERS appear, preparing the dinner on a table of green turfs, beneath a spreading oak. MARIAN and JENNY appear at the door of the hut. JENNY goes across to help at the preparations for dinner._]
ROBIN
Ah, there's my Lady Marian! Will you not come And speak with her?
[_He and the KNIGHT go and talk to MARIAN in the background._]
LITTLE JOHN
[_At the table._] The trenchers all are set; Manchets of wheat, cream, curds and honey-cakes, Venison pasties, roasted pigeons! Much, Run to the cave; we'll broach our rarest wine To-day. Old Much is waiting for thee there To help him. He is growling roundly, too, At thy delay.
MUCH
[_Going towards the cave._]
Ah me, my poor old father!
JENNY
I've dressed the salt and strawed the dining hall With flowers.
[_Enter FRIAR TUCK with several more FORESTERS and WILL SCARLET._]
ROBIN
Ah, good Will Scarlet, here at last!
FRIAR TUCK
We should ha' been here sooner; but these others Borrowed a farmer's market cart and galloped Ahead of us!
ROBIN
Thy mother is in the hut, Sheer broken down with hope and fearfulness, Waiting and trembling for thee, Will. Go in, Put thy big arm around her.
[_WILL SCARLET goes into the hut with a cry._]
SCARLET
Mother!
FRIAR TUCK
You see, My sons, you couldn't expect the lad to run! There is a certain looseness in the limbs, A quaking of the flesh that overcomes The bravest who has felt a hangman's rope Cuddling his neck.
ROBIN
You judge him by the rope That cuddles your slim waist! Oh, you sweet armful, Sit down and pant! I warrant you were glad To bear him company.
FRIAR TUCK
I'll not deny it! I am a man of solids. Like the Church, I am founded on a rock.
[_He sits down._]
ROBIN
Solids, i' faith! Sir, it is true he is partly based on beef; He grapples with it squarely; but fluids, too, Have played their part in that cathedral choir He calls his throat. One godless virtue, sir, They seem to have given him. Never a nightingale Gurgles jug! jug! in mellower tones than he When jugs are flowing. Never a thrush can pipe Sweet, sweet, so rarely as, when a pipe of wine Summers his throttle, we'll make him sing to us One of his heathen ditties--_The Malmsey Butt_, Or _Down the Merry Red Lane!_
FRIAR TUCK
Oh, ay, you laugh, But, though I cannot run, when I am rested I'll challenge you, Robin, to a game of buffets, One fair, square, stand-up, stand-still, knock-down blow Apiece; you'll need no more. If you not kiss The turf, at my first clout, I will forego Malmsey for ever!
ROBIN
Friar, I recant; You're champion there. Fists of a common size I will encounter; but not whirling hams Like thine!
FRIAR TUCK
I knew it!
JENNY
[_Approaching._]
Please you, sirs, all is ready!
FRIAR TUCK
Ah, Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, that's good news!
[_WILL SCARLET comes out of the hut with his arm round his mother. They all sit down at the table of turfs. Enter SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF timidly._]
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Is there a place for me?
A FORESTER
Ay, come along!
FRIAR TUCK
Now, Robin, don't forget the grace, my son.
ROBIN
[_Standing up._]
It is our custom, sir, since our repast Is borrowed from the King, to drain one cup To him, and his return from the Crusade, Before we dine. That same wine-bibbing friar Calls it our 'grace'; and constitutes himself Remembrancer--without a cause, for never Have we forgotten, never while bugles ring Thro' Sherwood, shall forget--Outlaws, the King!
[_All stand up except the KNIGHT._]
CRIES
The King and his return from the Crusade!
[_They drink and resume their seats._]
ROBIN
You did not drink the health, sir Knight. I hope You hold with Lion-Heart.
KNIGHT
Yes; I hold with him. You were too quick for me. I had not drawn These gauntlets off. But tell me, Lady Marian, When is your bridal day with Robin Hood?
MARIAN
We shall be wedded when the King comes home From the Crusade.
KNIGHT
Ah, when the King comes home! That's music--all the birds of April sing In those four words for me--the King comes home.
MARIAN
I am glad you love him, sir.
ROBIN
But you're not eating! Your helmet's locked and barred! Will you not raise Your visor?
KNIGHT
[_Laughs._]
Ha! ha! ha! You see I am trapped! I did not wish to raise it! Hunger and thirst Break down all masks and all disguises, Robin.
[_He rises and removes his helmet, revealing the face of RICHARD COEUR DE LION._]
ROBIN
The King!
[_They all leap to their feet._]
OUTLAWS
The King! The King!
ROBIN
But oh, my liege, I should have known, when we were hard beset Around Will Scarlet by their swarming bands, And when you rode out of the Eastern sky And hurled our foemen down, I should have known It was the King come home from the Crusade! And when I was beset here in the wood By treacherous hounds again, I should have known Whose armour suddenly burned between the leaves! I should have known, either it was St. George Or else the King come home from the Crusade!
RICHARD
Indeed there is one thing that might have told you, Robin--a lover's instinct, since it seems So much for you and Marian depends On my return.
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Sire, you will pardon me, For I am only a fool, and yet methinks You know not half the meaning of those words-- The King, the King comes home from the Crusade! Thrust up your swords, heft uppermost, my lads, And shout--the King comes home from the Crusade.
[_He leaps on a seat, and thrusts up the King's sword, heft uppermost, as if it were a cross._]
ROBIN
Pardon him, sire, poor Shadow-of-a-Leaf has lost His wits!
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
That's what Titania said you'd say, Poor sweet bells out of tune! But oh, don't leave, Don't leave the forest! There's darker things to come! Don't leave the forest! I have wits enough at least To wrap my legs around my neck for warmth On winter nights.
RICHARD
Well, you've no need to pass The winter in these woods--
SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
Oh, not _that_ winter!
ROBIN
Shadow-of-a-Leaf, be silent!
[_SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF goes aside and throws himself down sobbing among the ferns._]
RICHARD
When even your cave Methinks can scarce be cheery. Huntingdon, Your earldom we restore to you this day! You and my Lady Marian shall return To Court with us, where your true bridal troth Shall be fulfilled with golden marriage bells. Now, friends, the venison pasty! We must hear _The Malmsey Butt_ and _Down the Merry Red Lane_, Ere we set out, at dawn, for London Town.
ROBIN
Allan-a-dale shall touch a golden string To speed our feast, sire, for he soars above The gross needs of the Churchman!
RICHARD
Allan-a-Dale?
WILL SCARLET
Our greenwood minstrel, sire! His harp is ours Because we won his bride for him.
RICHARD
His bride?
REYNOLD GREENLEAF
Was to be wedded, sire, against her will Last May, to a rich old baron.
RICHARD
Pigeon-pie-- And Malmsey--yes--a rich old baron--tell!
ROBIN
Sire, on the wedding day, my merry men Crowded the aisles with uninvited guests; And, as the old man drew forth the golden ring, They threw aside their cloaks with one great shout Of 'Sherwood'; and, for all its crimson panes, The church was one wild sea of Lincoln green! The Forest had broken in, sire, and the bride Like a wild rose tossing on those green boughs, Was borne away and wedded here by Tuck To her true lover; and so--his harp is ours.
ALLAN-A-DALE
No feasting song, sire, but the royal theme Of chivalry--a song I made last night In yonder ruined chapel. It is called _The Old Knight's Vigil_.
RICHARD
Our hearts will keep it young!
[_ALLAN-A-DALE sings, SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF raises his head among the ferns._]
[_Song._]
I
Once, in this chapel, Lord Young and undaunted, Over my virgin sword Lightly I chaunted,-- "Dawn ends my watch. I go Shining to meet the foe!"
II
"Swift with thy dawn," I said, "Set the lists ringing! Soon shall thy foe be sped, And the world singing! Bless my bright plume for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.
[_SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF rises to his knees amongst the ferns._]
III
"War-worn I kneel to-night, Lord, by Thine altar! Oh, in to-morrow's fight, Let me not falter! Bless my dark arms for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.
IV
"Keep Thou my broken sword All the long night through While I keep watch and ward! Then--the red fight through, Bless the wrenched haft for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.
V
"Keep, in thy piercèd hands, Still the bruised helmet: Let not their hostile bands Wholly o'erwhelm it! Bless my poor shield for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.
VI
"Keep Thou the sullied mail, Lord, that I tender Here, at Thine altar-rail! Then--let Thy splendour Touch it once ... and I go Stainless to meet the foe."
[_SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF rises to his feet and takes a step towards the minstrel._]
[_Curtain._]