Chapter 7

ELINOR

You will be king the sooner! Not a month In England, and my good son Lion-Heart Must wander over-seas again. These two, Huntingdon and his bride, must bless the star Of errant knighthood.

JOHN

He stayed just long enough To let them pass one fearless honeymoon In the broad sunlight of his royal favour, Then, like a meteor off goes great King Richard, And leaves them but the shadow of his name To shelter them from my revenge. They know it! I have seen her shiver like a startled fawn And draw him closer, damn him, as I passed.

ELINOR

They would have flitted to the woods again But for my Lord Fitzwalter.

JOHN

That old fool Has wits enough to know I shall be king, And for his land's sake cheats himself to play Sir 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 graves Like lightning, and no thunder follows them To warn their foolish henchmen.

JOHN

[_Looking at her searchingly._]

Shall I risk The King's return?

ELINOR

What do you mean?

JOHN

I mean I cannot wait and watch this Robin Hood Dangle the fruit of Tantalus before me, Then eat it in my sight! I have borne enough! He gave me like a fairing to my brother In 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 think I love to see it?

JOHN

Had it not been for you He 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 noon To Sherwood Forest, with a bag of gold For some of his old followers. If, by chance He fall--how saith the Scripture?--among thieves And vanish--is not heard of any more, I think Suspicion scarce could lift her head Among these roses here to hiss at me, When Lion-Heart returns.

ELINOR

Vanish?

JOHN

I would not Kill him too quickly. I would have him taken To a dungeon that I know.

ELINOR

You have laid your trap Already? Tell me. You need not be afraid! I saw them kiss, in the garden, yesternight; And I have wondered, ever since, if fire Could make a brand quite hot enough to stamp My hate upon him.

JOHN

Well, then, I will tell you-- The plan is laid; and, if his bag of gold Rejoice one serf to-day, then I'll resign Maid 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 come Beneath that arch of roses. Look, look, mother, They are taking leave of one another now, A ghastly parting, for he will be gone Well 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.

[_Exeunt PRINCE and ELINOR. A pause. Enter ROBIN HOOD and MARIAN._]

ROBIN

So, good-bye, once more, Sweetheart.

MARIAN

Four hours; how shall I pass the time? Four hours, four ages, you will scarce be home By dusk; how shall I pass it?

ROBIN

You've to think What robe to wear at the great masque to-night And then to don it. When you've done all that I 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 month To-day since we were married. Did you know it? Fie, I believe you had forgotten, Robin.

ROBIN

I had, almost. If marriage make the moons Fly, as this month has flown, we shall be old And 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 month More 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 parting Often? 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 love Buried 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 up Once 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 souls Like yours have died believing they should meet Again, lovers and children, little children! God will not break that trust. I have found my heaven Again in you; and, though I stumble still, Your small hand leads me thro' the darkness, up And onward, to the heights I dared not see, And dare not even now; but my head bows Above 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 count The 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 think That 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._]