Volume II Part 54 (1/2)

But tell me, Lady Marian, When is your bridal day with Robin Hood?

MARIAN

We shall be wedded when the King comes home From the Crusade.

KNIGHT

Ah, when the King comes home!

That's music--all the birds of April sing In those four words for me--the King comes home.

MARIAN

I am glad you love him, sir.

ROBIN

But you're not eating!

Your helmet's locked and barred! Will you not raise Your visor?

KNIGHT

[_Laughs._]

Ha! ha! ha! You see I am trapped!

I did not wish to raise it! Hunger and thirst Break down all masks and all disguises, Robin.

[_He rises and removes his helmet, revealing the face of RICHARD COEUR DE LION._]

ROBIN

The King!

[_They all leap to their feet._]

OUTLAWS

The King! The King!

ROBIN

But oh, my liege, I should have known, when we were hard beset Around Will Scarlet by their swarming bands, And when you rode out of the Eastern sky And hurled our foemen down, I should have known It was the King come home from the Crusade!

And when I was beset here in the wood By treacherous hounds again, I should have known Whose armour suddenly burned between the leaves!

I should have known, either it was St. George Or else the King come home from the Crusade!

RICHARD

Indeed there is one thing that might have told you, Robin--a lover's instinct, since it seems So much for you and Marian depends On my return.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF