Volume II Part 26 (1/2)

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!

G.o.d 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