  Scene I. Night. The borders of the forest. The smouldering embers of a 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, '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 roun 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. Scene II. A banqueting hall in Fitzwalter's castle. The guests are assembling for the betrothal feast of Robin and Marian. Some of Robin Hood's men, clad in Lincoln green, are just arriving at the doors. Shadow-of-a-Leaf runs forward to greet them. pageno" title="[Pg 155]">MARIAN My lord! JOHN [Drawing close to her.] I have come to urge a plea On your behalf as well as on my own! Listen, you may not know it—I must tell you. I have watched your beauty growing like a flower, With—why should I not say it—worship; yes, Marian, I will not hide it. MARIAN Sir, you are mad! Sir, and your bride, your bride, not three months wedded! You cannot mean ... JOHN Listen to me! Ah, Marian, You'd be more merciful if you knew all! D'you think that princes wed to please themselves? MARIAN Sir, English maidens do; and I am plighted Not to a prince, but to an outlawed man. JOHN Listen to me! One word! Marian, one word! I never meant you harm! Indeed, what harm Could come of this? Is not your father poor? I'd make him rich! Is not your lover outlawed? I'd save him from the certain death that waits him. You say the forest-laws afflict your soul And his—you say you'd die for their repeal! Well—I'll repeal them. All the churls in England Shall bless your name and mix it in their prayers With heaven itself. MARIAN The price? JOHN You call it that! To let me lay the world before your feet, To let me take this little hand in mine. Why should I hide my love from you? MARIAN No more, I'll hear no more! You are a prince, you say? JOHN One word—suppose it some small sacrifice, To save those churls for whom you say your heart Bleeds; yet you will not lift your little finger To save them! And what hinders you?—A breath, A dream, a golden rule! Can you not break it For a much greater end? MARIAN I'd die to save them. JOHN Then live to save them. MARIAN No, you will not let me; D'you think that bartering my soul will help To save another? If there's no way but this, Then through my lips those suffering hundreds cry, We choose the suffering. All that is good in them, All you have left, all you have not destroyed, Cries out against you: and I'll go to them, Suffer and toil and love and die with them Rather than touch your hand. You over-rate Your power to hurt our souls. You are mistaken! There is a golden rule! JOHN And with such lips You take to preaching! I was a fool to worry Your soul with reason. With hair like yours—it's hopeless! But Marian—you shall hear me. [He catches her in his arms.] Yes, by God, Marian, you shall! I love you. MARIAN [Struggling.] You should not live! JOHN One kiss, then! Devil take it. [Enter Fitzwalter above.] MARIAN [Wresting herself free.] You should not live! Were I a man and not a helpless girl You should not live! JOHN Come, now, that's very wicked. See how these murderous words affright your father. My good Fitzwalter, there's no need to look So ghastly. For your sake and hers and mine I have been trying to make your girl forget The name of Huntingdon. A few short months At our gay court would blot his memory out! I promise her a life of dazzling pleasures, And, in return she flies at me—a tigress— Clamouring for my blood! Try to persuade her! FITZWALTER My lord, you are very good. She must decide Herself. JOHN [Angrily.] I'll not be trifled with! I hold The hand of friendship out and you evade it, The moment I am gone, back comes your outlaw. You say you have no power with your own child! Well, then I'll take her back this very night; Back to the court with me. How do I know What treasons you are hatching here? I'll take her As hostage for yourself. FITZWALTER My lord, you jest! I have sworn to you. JOHN No more! If you be loyal, What cause have you to fear? FITZWALTER My lord, I'll give A hundred other pledges; but not this. JOHN By heaven, will you dictate your terms to me? I say that she shall come back to the court This very night! Ho, there, my men. |
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