Collected Poems - LightNovelsOnl.com
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I am.
WIDOW SCARLET
They told me, They told me I should find you here. They told me!
ROBIN
Come, mother, what's the trouble?
WIDOW SCARLET
Sir, my son Will Scarlet lies in gaol at Nottingham For killing deer in Sherwood! Sir, they'll hang him.
He only wanted food for him and me!
They'll kill him, I tell you, they'll kill him. I can't help Crying it out. He's all I have, all! Save him!
I'll pray for you, I'll ...
ROBIN
[_To FITZWALTER, as he raises WIDOW SCARLET gently to her feet._]
Sir, has not the King Come home from the Crusade? Does not your heart Fling open wide its gates to welcome him?
FITZWALTER
Robin, you set me riddles. Follow your conscience.
Do what seems best.
ROBIN
I hope there is a way, Mother. I knew Will Scarlet. Better heart There never beat beneath a leather jerkin.
He loved the forest and the forest loves him; And if the lads that wear the forest's livery Of living green should happen to break out And save Will Scarlet (as on my soul I swear, Mother, they shall!) why, that's a matter none Shall answer for to prince, or king, or G.o.d, But you and Robin Hood; and if the judgment Strike harder upon us than the heavenly smile Of suns.h.i.+ne thro' the greenwood, may it fall Upon my head alone.
[_Enter the SHERIFF, with two of his men._]
SHERIFF
[_Reads._]
In the King's name!
Thou, Earl of Huntingdon, by virtue of this writ art hereby attainted and deprived of thine earldom, thy lands and all thy goods and chattels whatsoever and whereas thou hast at divers times trespa.s.sed against the officers of the king by force of arms, thou art hereby outlawed and banished the realm.
ROBIN
That's well.
[_He laughs._]
It puts an end to the great question Of how I shall dispose my wealth, Fitzwalter.
But "banished"?--No! that is beyond their power While I have power to breathe, unless they banish The kind old oaks of Sherwood. They may call it "Outlawed," perhaps.
FITZWALTER
Who let the villain in Thro' doors of mine?
CRIES
Out with him! Out with him!
[_The guests draw swords and the SHERIFF retreats thro' the doorway with his men._]
ROBIN
Stop!
Put up your swords! He had his work to do.
[_WIDOW SCARLET falls sobbing at his feet._]
WIDOW SCARLET
O master, master, who will save my son, My son?
ROBIN
[_Raising her._]
Why, mother, this is but a dream, This poor fantastic strutting show of law!
And you shall wake with us in Sherwood Forest And find Will Scarlet in your arms again.
Come, cheerly, cheerly, we shall overcome All this. Hark!
[_A bugle sounds in the distance. There is a scuffle in the doorway and LITTLE JOHN bursts in with his head bleeding._]
LITTLE JOHN
Master, master, come away!
They are setting a trap for thee, drawing their lines All round the castle.
ROBIN
How now, Little John, They have wounded thee! Art hurt?
LITTLE JOHN
No, no, that's nothing.
Only a b.l.o.o.d.y c.o.c.ks...o...b.. Come, be swift, Or, if thou wert a fox, thou'dst never slip Between 'em. Ah, hear that?
[_Another bugle sounds from another direction._]
That's number two.
Two sides cut off already. When the third Sounds--they will have thee, sure as eggs is eggs.
