Lovers! Ha! ha! I caught a pair of 'em Last night, behind the ruined chapel! Lovers! O Lord, these mortals, they'll be the death of me! Hist, who comes here?
Scarlet and Little John, And all the merry men--not half so merry Since Robin went away. He was to come And judge between the rich and poor to-day, I think he has forgotten.
Hist, let me hide Behind this hawthorn bush till they are gone.
[_Enter the FORESTERS--they all go into the cave except SCARLET and LITTLE JOHN, who stand at the entrance, looking anxiously back._]
I have never known the time when Robin Hood Said "I will surely come," and hath not been Punctual as yonder evening star.
Pray God No harm hath fallen him. Indeed he said, "Count on my coming."
I'll sound yet one more call. They say these Courts will spoil a forester. It may be he has missed the way. I'd give My sword-hand just to hear his jolly bugle Answer me.
[_He blows a forest call. They listen. All is silent._]
Well, I'm for sleep: the moon is not so bright Since Robin left us.
Ha! Shadow-of-a-Leaf, alone? I thought I heard thy voice.
Oh, he will talk With ferns and flowers and whisper to the mice! Perfectly happy, art thou not, dear fool?
Pray that thou never dost regain them, then, Shadow-of-a-Leaf.
I thank you kindly, sir, And pray that you may quickly lose your own, And so be happy, too. Robin's away, But, if you'd lost your wits, you would not grieve.
I will not say "Good-night," Wise man, for I am crazed, and so I know 'Tis good, and yet you'll grieve. I wish you both A bad night that will tease your wits away And make you happy.
[_The OUTLAWS enter the cave. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF beckons to PUCK, who steals out again._]
Shadow-of-a-Leaf, some change Is creeping o'er the forest. I myself Scarce laugh so much since Robin went away! Oh, my head hangs as heavily as a violet Brimmed with the rain. Shadow-of-a-Leaf, a cloud, A whisper steals across this listening wood! I am growing afraid. Dear fool, I am thy Puck, But I am growing afraid there comes an end To all our Sherwood revels, and I shall never Tease thee again.
Hail, Oberon. King of the fairies, I strew ferns before you. There are no palms here: ferns do just as well!
Shadow-of-a-Leaf, our battles all are wasted; Our fairy dreams whereby we strove to warn Robin and Marian, wasted. Shadow-of-a-Leaf, Dear Robin Hood, the lover of the poor, And kind Maid Marian, our forest queen, Are in the toils at last!