Come, come, sweet Marian, put that weapon down. I was beside myself, was carried away. I cannot help my love for--
I'll not hear Another sickening word: throw down your arms, That dagger at your side.
Oh, that's too foolish, Marian, I swear--
You see that rusty stain Upon the silver birch down yonder? Watch.
[_She shoots. Then swiftly aims at him again._]
[_He pulls out the dagger and throws it down, with a shrug of his shoulders. One of his men steals up behind MARIAN._]
Ah, Mistress Marian, There's one behind you! Look!
[_The man springs forward and seizes MARIAN'S arms._]
[_Coming forward and taking hold of her also._]
So, my sweet tigress, You're trapped then, are you? Well, we'll waste no time! We'll talk this over when we reach the castle. Keep off the maid, there, Warman; I can manage This turbulent beauty. Ah, by God, you shall Come! Ah? God's blood, what's this?
[_MARIAN has succeeded in drawing her dagger and slightly wounding him. She wrests herself free._]
Strike, now strike if you will. You will not like To see the red blood spurting up your hand. That's not maid's work. Come, strike!
[_ROBIN HOOD appears at the edge of the glade behind him_]
You see, you cannot! Your heart is tenderer than you think.
Out with your blade, Warman; call up the rest! We can strike freely now, without a fear Of marring the sweet beauty of the spoil. We four can surely make an end of him. Have at him, lads, and swiftly, or the thieves Will all be down on us.
[_ROBIN draws his sword and sets his back to an oak. The other two followers of PRINCE JOHN come out of the wood._]
Come on, all four! This oak will shift its roots before I budge One inch from four such howling wolves. Come on; You must be tired of fighting women-folk. Come on! By God, sir, you must guard your head Better than that,
Or you're just food for worms Already; come, you dogs!
Work round, you three, Behind him! Drive him out from that damned oak!
Oh, that's a princely speech! Have at you, sir!
[_He strikes PRINCE JOHN'S sword out of his hand and turns suddenly to confront the others. JOHN picks up a dagger and makes as if to stab ROBIN in the back. At the same instant, bugles are heard in the distance. The red-cross knight flashes between the trees and seizing JOHN'S arm in his gauntleted hand, disarms him, then turns to help ROBIN._]