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.
Come, Lady Marian, let me lead you out To tread a measure.
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. God's dear holy-bread, Y'are too forgetful. Dance, or by my troth, You'll move my patience. I say you do us wrong.
I will do what you will. Lead, lead your dance.
[_To a lady, as they come up from the garden._]
Will you not let me see your face now, sweet?
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.
Where? Where? Now, if I know him, I shall know your name!
Oh, never fear him. He, too, wore a mask! I saw them--
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._]
Remember now to say you did not see me Here at the masque.
Or shall I say that I Was out in Palestine?
[_They pass. Enter little ARTHUR PLANTAGENET. He comes up to ROBIN HOOD._]
Hush, Arthur. Don't you see I wear a mask Like all the rest to-night?
They must always wear some sort of mask At court. Sometimes they wear them all their lives.
You are jesting, Robin. Now I wanted you To tell me tales of Sherwood. Tell me how You saved Will Scarlet.
Why, I've told you that A score of times.
I know, I want to hear it Again. Well, tell me of that afternoon When Lion-Heart came home from the Crusade. I have often thought of that. It must have been Splendid! You weren't expecting it at all?
No, not at all; but, Arthur, tell me first Have you seen Lady Marian?
Yes, I saw her Treading a measure with my Uncle John!
Stand where you are and watch; and, if you see her, Beckon her. Then I'll tell you how the King Came home from the Crusade.
First, let me tell you Just how I think it was. It must have been Like a great picture. All your outlaws there Sitting around your throne of turf, and you Judging the rich and poor. That's how it was Last night, I dreamed of it; and you were taking The baron's gold and giving it to the halt And blind; and then there was a great big light Between the trees, as if a star had come Down to the earth and caught among the boughs, With beams like big soft swords amongst the ferns And leaves, and through the light a mighty steed Stepped, and the King came home from the Crusade. Was it like that? Was there a shining light?