Volume Viii Part 38 (1/2)

DON. Or, as I said, For ever I'll defy your company.

PRIOR. Well, he shall die, and in his jollity: And in my head I have a policy To make him die disgrac'd.

DON. O, tell it, Prior!

PRIOR. I will, but not as now; [_Call the_ FRIAR _within_.

We'll seek a place: the woods have many ears, And some, methinks, are calling for the Friar.[263]

_Enter_ LITTLE JOHN _and_ SCATHLOCK, _calling the_ FRIAR, _as before_.

LIT. JOHN. The Friar! the Friar!

SCATH. Why, where's this Friar?

_Enter_ FRIAR TUCK.

FRIAR. Here, sir: what is your desire?

_Enter_ ROBIN HOOD _and_ WARMAN.[264]

ROB. H. Why, Friar, what a murrain dost thou mean?

The king calls for thee; for a mighty stag (That hath a copper-ring about his neck With letters on it, which he would have read) Hath Scarlet kill'd. I pray thee, go thy way.

FRIAR. Master, I will: no longer will I stay.

[_Exit_ FRIAR TUCK, LITTLE JOHN, _and_ SCATHLOCK.

ROB. H. Good uncle, be more careful of your health, And yours, Sir Doncaster; your wounds are green.

BOTH. Through your great kindness we are comforted.

ROB. H. And, Warman, I advise you to more mirth.

Shun solitary walks, keep company: Forget your fault; I have forgiv'n the fault, Good Warman, be more blithe; and at this time A little help my Marian and her maid.

Much shall come to you straight: a little now We must all strive to do the best we may.

[_Exit winding_.[265]

WAR. On you and her I'll wait until my dying day.

[WARMAN _is going out_; DONCASTER _pulls him_.

DON. Warman, a word. My good Lord Prior and I Are full of grief to see thy misery.

WAR. My misery, Sir Doncaster? why, I thank G.o.d, I never was in better state than now.

PRIOR. Why, what a servile slavish mind hast thou!

Art thou a man, and canst be such a beast, a.s.s-like to bear the burthen of thy wrongs?

WAR. What wrong have I? is't wrong to be reliev'd?

DON. Reliev'd, say'st thou? why, shallow-witted fool, Dost thou not see Robin's ambitious pride, And how he climbs by pitying, and aspires By humble looks, good deeds, and such fond toys, To be a monarch reigning over us, As if we were the va.s.sals to his will?