Collected Poems - LightNovelsOnl.com
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SECOND RUSTIC
Why, father, one would never think to see thee Thou had'st so sound a heart!
FIRST RUSTIC
Ah, here they come!
The Sheriff and his men; and, in the midst, There's poor Will Scarlet bound.
THE CROWD MURMURS
Ah, here they come!
Look at the halberts s.h.i.+ning! Can you see him?
FIRST RUSTIC
There, there he is. His face is white: but, Lord, He takes it bravely.
SECOND RUSTIC
He's a brave man, Will.
SHERIFF
Back with the crowd there, guards; delay no time!
SOME WOMEN IN THE CROWD
Ah, ah, poor lad!
ROBIN
[_Eagerly._]
What are they doing now?
I cannot see!
FIRST RUSTIC
The Sheriff's angered now!
SECOND RUSTIC
Ay, for they say a messenger has come From that same G.o.dless hangman whose lean neck I'd like to twist, saying he is delayed.
'Tis the first G.o.dly deed he has ever done.
THIRD RUSTIC
The Sheriff says he will not be delayed.
But who will take the hangman's office?
ROBIN
Masters, I have a thought; make way; let me bespeak The Sheriff!
RUSTICS
How now, father, what's to do?
ROBIN
Make way, I tell you. Here's the man they want!
SHERIFF
What's this?
ROBIN
Good master Sheriff, I've a grudge Against Will Scarlet. Let me have the task Of sending him to heaven!
CROWD
Ah-h-h, the old devil!
SHERIFF
Come on, then, and be brief!
ROBIN
I'm not a hangman; But I can cleave your thinnest hazel wand At sixty yards.
SHERIFF
Shoot, then, and make an end.
Make way there, clear the way!
[_An opening is made in the crowd. ROBIN stands in the gap, WILL SCARLET is not seen by the audience._]
CROWD
Ah-h-h, the old devil!
ROBIN
I'll shoot him one on either side, just graze him, To show you how I love him; then the third Slick in his heart.
[_He shoots. A murmur goes up from the crowd. The crowd hides WILL SCARLET during the shooting. But ROBIN remains in full view, in the opening._]
