SCENE IV.--_At Wakefield.

_Enter_ GEORGE-A-GREENE _and_ BETTRIS.

_Geo._ Tell me, sweet love, how is thy mind content? What, canst thou brook to live with George-a-Greene?

_Bet._ O, George, how little pleasing are these words! Came I from Bradford for the love of thee, And left my father for so sweet a friend? Here will I live until my life do end.

_Geo._ Happy am I to have so sweet a love.-- But what are these come tracing here along?

_Bet._ Three men come striking through the corn, my love.

_Enter_ ROBIN HOOD, MAID MARIAN, SCARLET _and_ MUCH.

_Geo._ Back again, you foolish travellers, For you are wrong, and may not wend this way.

_Rob._ That were great shame. Now, by my soul, proud sir, We be three tall[315] yeomen, and thou art but one.-- Come, we will forward in despite of him.

_Geo._ Leap the ditch, or I will make you skip. What, cannot the highway serve your turn, But you must make a path over the corn?

_Rob._ Why, art thou mad? dar'st thou encounter three? We are no babes, man, look upon our limbs.

_Geo._ Sirrah, the biggest limbs have not the stoutest hearts. Were ye as good as Robin Hood and his three merry men, I'll drive you back the same way that ye came. Be ye men, ye scorn to encounter me all at once; But be ye cowards, set upon me all three, And try the Pinner what he dares perform.

_Scar._ Were thou as high in deeds As thou art haughty in words, Thou well might'st be a champion for the king: But empty vessels have the loudest sounds, And cowards prattle more than men of worth.

_Geo._ Sirrah, darest thou try me?

_Scar._ Ay, sirrah, that I dare. [_They fight, and_ GEORGE-A-GREENE _beats him._

_Much._ How now! what, art thou down?-- Come, sir, I am next. [_They fight, and_ GEORGE-A-GREENE _beats him._

_Rob._ Come, sirrah, now to me: spare me not, For I'll not spare thee.

_Ge._ Make no doubt I will be as liberal to thee. [_They fight_; ROBIN HOOD _stays._

_Rob._ Stay, George, for here I do protest, Thou art the stoutest champion that ever I Laid hands upon.

_Geo._ Soft, you sir! by your leave, you lie; You never yet laid hands on me.

_Rob._ George, wilt thou forsake Wakefield, And go with me? Two liveries will I give thee every year, And forty crowns shall be thy fee.[316]

_Geo._ Why, who art thou?

_Rob._ Why, Robin Hood: I am come hither with my Marian And these my yeomen for to visit thee.

_Geo._ Robin Hood! Next to King Edward art thou lief[317] to me. Welcome, sweet Robin; welcome, Maid Marian; And welcome, you my friends. Will you to my poor house? You shall have wafer-cakes your fill, A piece of beef hung up since Martlemas, Mutton and veal: if this like you not, Take that you find, or that you bring, for me.

_Rob._ Godamercies, good George, I'll be thy guest to-day.

_Geo._ Robin, therein thou honourest me. I'll lead the way. [_Exeunt._

ACT THE FIFTH