Collected Poems - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Where is Robin Hood?
I have never seen him, but from all one hears He is a wood-G.o.d and a young Apollo, And a more chaste Actaeon all in one.
MASKER
Oh, ay, he never watched Diana bathing, Or, if he did, all Sherwood winked at it.
Who knows? Do you believe a man and maid Can sleep out in the woods all night, as these Have slept a hundred times, and put to shame Our first poor parents; throw the apple aside And float out of their leafy Paradise Like angels?
LADY
No; I fear the forest boughs Could tell sad tales. Oh, I imagine it-- Married to Robin, by a fat hedge-priest Under an altar of hawthorn, with a choir Of sparrows, and a spray of cuckoo-spit For holy water! Oh, the modest chime Of blue-bells from a fairy belfry, a veil Of evening mist, a robe of golden hair; A blade of gra.s.s for a ring; a band of thieves In Lincoln green to witness the sweet bans; A glow-worm for a nuptial taper, a bed Of rose-leaves, and wild thyme and wood-doves' down.
Quick! Draw the bridal curtains--three tall ferns-- Across the cave mouth, lest a star should peep And make the wild rose leap into her face!
Pis.h.!.+ A sweet maid! But where is Robin Hood?
MASKER
I know not; but he'd better have a care Of Mistress Marian. If I know Prince John He has marked her for his own.
LADY
I cannot see What fascinates him.
MASKER
No, you are right, nor I.
PRINCE JOHN
Come, Lady Marian, let me lead you out To tread a measure.
MARIAN
Pray, sir, pardon me!
I am tired.
FITZWALTER
[_Whispering angrily to her._]
Now, Marian, be not so ungracious.
You both abuse him and disparage us.
His courtiers led the ladies they did choose.
Do not displease him, girl. I pray you, go!
Dance out your galliard. G.o.d's dear holy-bread, Y'are too forgetful. Dance, or by my troth, You'll move my patience. I say you do us wrong.
MARIAN
I will do what you will. Lead, lead your dance.
[_Exeunt JOHN and MARIAN._]
FIRST MASKER
[_To a lady, as they come up from the garden._]
Will you not let me see your face now, sweet?
LADY
You hurt my lip with that last kiss of yours.
Hush, do not lean your face so close, I pray you; Loosen my fingers. There's my lord.
FIRST MASKER
Where? Where?
Now, if I know him, I shall know your name!
LADY
That tall man with the damozel in red.
FIRST MASKER
Oh, never fear him. He, too, wore a mask!
I saw them--
[_They pa.s.s out talking._]
SECOND MASKER
[_Looking after them._]
Saw you those two turtle-doves!
SECOND LADY
Yes.
SECOND MASKER
Come with me, I'll show you where I caught them Among the roses, half an hour ago.
[_They laugh and exeunt into the gardens. The music swells up and more dancers appear._]
[_Enter ROBIN HOOD, still in his forester's garb, but wearing a mask. He walks as if wounded and in pain. He sits down in the shadow of a pillar watching, and partly concealed from the throng._]
THIRD LADY
Remember now to say you did not see me Here at the masque.
