I am sorry. It were better sport To send him groping like a hoodman blind Through Sherwood, whimpering for his Robin. Come, I'll ride with you to this betrothal feast. Now for my Lady Marian!
[_Exeunt all. A pause. The scene darkens. Shadowy figures creep out from the thickets, of old men, women and children._]
God, am I My brother's keeper? Witness, God in heaven, He said it and not we--Cain's word, he said it!
O Father, Father, and the blood of Abel Cries to thee!
Is there any light here still? I feel a hot breath on my face. The dark Is better for us all. I am sometimes glad They blinded me those many years ago. Princes are princes; and God made the world For one or two it seems. Well, I am glad I cannot see His world.
[_Still by the body and whispering to the others._]
Keep him away. 'Tis as we thought. The dead man is his son. Keep him away, poor soul. He need not know.
[_Some of the men carry the body among the thickets._]
There's no food For any of us to-night. The snares are empty, And I can try no more.
Wait till my son Comes back. He's a rare hunter is my boy. You need not fret, poor little one. My son Is much too quick and clever for the Sheriff. He'll bring you something good. Why, ha! ha! ha! Friends, I've a thought--the Sheriff's lit the fire Ready for us to roast our meat. Come, come, Let us be merry while we may! My boy Will soon come back with food for the old folks. The fire burns brightly, eh?
The fire that feeds On hope and eats our hearts away. They've burnt Everything, everything!
Ah, princes are princes! But when the King comes home from the Crusade, We shall have better times.
Ay, when the King Comes home from the Crusade.
Oh, but if I could only find a crust Left by the dogs. Masters, the child will starve. We must have food.
I tell you when my boy Comes back, we shall have plenty!
No, stay! All's well. There's Shadow-of-a-Leaf, good Lady Marian's fool Beside him!
Ah, they say there's fairy blood In Shadow-of-a-Leaf. But I've no hopes of more From him, than wild bees' honey-bags.
[_Enter LITTLE JOHN, a giant figure, leading a donkey, laden with a sack. On the other side, SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF trips, a slender figure in green trunk-hose and doublet. He is tickling the donkey's ears with a long fern._]