Volume II Part 72 (2/2)

Robin and Marian!

LITTLE JOHN

Christ, what devil's hand Hath played the butcher here? Quick, hunt them down, They pa.s.sed out yonder. Let them not outlive Our murdered king and queen.

REYNOLD GREENLEAF

O Robin, Robin, Who shot this bitter shaft into her breast?

[_Several stoop and kneel by the two lovers._]

ROBIN HOOD

Speak to me, Marian, speak to me, only speak!

Just one small word, one little loving word Like those--do you remember?--you have breathed So many a time and often, against my cheek, Under the boughs of Sherwood, in the dark At night, with nothing but the boughs and stars Between us and the dear G.o.d up in heaven!

O G.o.d, why does a man's heart take so long To break? It would break sooner if you spoke A word to me, a word, one small kind word.

MARIAN

Sweetheart!

ROBIN

Sweetheart! You have broken it, broken it! Oh, kind, Kind heart of Marian!

MARIAN

Robin, come soon!

[_Dies._]

ROBIN

Soon, sweetheart! Oh, her sweet brave soul is gone!

Marian, I follow quickly!

SCARLET

G.o.d, Kirklee Shall burn for this!

LITTLE JOHN

Kirklee shall burn for this!

O master, master, you shall be avenged!

ROBIN

No; let me stand upright! Your hand, good Scarlet!

<script>