Volume II Part 67 (1/2)

ROBIN

Yes, I will try, I will try!

But oh, the sunlight! Where better, sweet, than this?

[_She leads him to the throne of turf and he sits down upon it, with MARIAN at his side._]

The Friar is right. This life is wine, red wine, Under the greenwood boughs! Oh, still to keep it, One little glen of justice in the midst Of mult.i.tudinous wrong. Who knows? We yet May leaven the whole world.

[_Enter the Outlaws, with several prisoners, among them, a KNIGHT, an ABBOT, and a FORESTER._]

Those are the prisoners?

You had some victims of the forest laws That came to you for help. Bring them in, too, And set them over against these lords of the earth!

[_Some ragged women and children appear. Several serfs with iron collars round their necks and their eyes put out, are led gently in._]

Is that our Lincoln green among the prisoners?

There? One of my own band?

LITTLE JOHN

Ay, more's the pity!

We took him out of pity, and he has wronged Our honour, sir; he has wronged a helpless woman Entrusted to his guidance thro' the forest.

ROBIN

Ever the same, the danger comes from those We fight for, those below, not those above!

Which of you will betray me to the King?

THE FORESTER

Do you ask _me_, sir?

ROBIN

Judas answered first, With ”Master, is it I?” Hang not thy head!

What say'st thou to this charge?

THE FORESTER

Why, Friar Tuck Can answer for me. Do you think he cares Less for a woman's lips than I?

FRIAR TUCK

Cares less, Thou rotten radish? Nay, but a vast deal more!

G.o.d's three best gifts to man,--woman and song And wine, what dost _thou_ know of all their joy?

Thou lean pick-purse of kisses?

ROBIN