Volume II Part 66 (2/2)

The time is pressing!

FRIAR TUCK

The lad will not be long!

[_ROBIN appears tottering and white at the mouth of the cave._]

MARIAN

[_Running to him._]

O Robin, Robin, You must not rise! Your wound!

ROBIN

[_He speaks feverishly._]

Where can I rest Better than on my greenwood throne of turf?

Friar, I heard them say they had some prisoners.

Bring them before me.

FRIAR TUCK

Master, you are fevered, And they can wait.

ROBIN

Yes, yes; but there are some That cannot wait, that die for want of food, And then--the Norman gold will come too late, Too late.

LITTLE JOHN O master, you must rest.

[_Going up to him._]

MARIAN Oh, help me, Help me with him. Help me to lead him back.

ROBIN

No! No! You must not touch me! I will rest When I have seen the prisoners, not before.

LITTLE JOHN

He means it, mistress, better humour him Or he will break his wound afresh.

MARIAN

O Robin, Give me your word that you'll go back and rest, When you have seen them.

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