Collected Poems Volume II Part 51

Keep off the maid, there, Warman; I can manage This turbulent beauty. Ah, by G.o.d, you shall Come! Ah? G.o.d's blood, what's this?

[_MARIAN has succeeded in drawing her dagger and slightly wounding him. She wrests herself free._]

MARIAN

Keep back, I warn you!

JOHN

[_Advancing slowly._]

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.

ROBIN

[_Quietly._]

Prince John!

JOHN

[_Turns round and confronts ROBIN._]

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._]

ROBIN

Come on, all four!

This oak will s.h.i.+ft 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 G.o.d, sir, you must guard your head Better than that,

[_He disarms WARMAN._]

Or you're just food for worms Already; come, you dogs!

PRINCE JOHN

Work round, you three, Behind him! Drive him out from that d.a.m.ned oak!

ROBIN

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._]

KNIGHT

What, four on one! Down with your blades, you curs, Or, by Mahound!--

[_The three men take to flight. JOHN stands staring at the newcomer.

The FORESTERS appear, surrounding the glade._]

JOHN

[_Muttering._]

What? Thou? Thou? Or his ghost?

No--no--it cannot be.

ROBIN

Let them yelp home, The pitiful jackals. They have left behind The prime offender. Ha, there, my merry lads, All's well; but take this villain into the cave And guard him there.

[_The FORESTERS lead PRINCE JOHN into the cave._]

JOHN

[_To the FORESTERS._]

Answer me one thing: who Is yonder red-cross knight?

A FORESTER

No friend of thine, Whoe'er he be!

KNIGHT

[_To ROBIN._]

I need not ask _his_ name.

I grieve to know it!

ROBIN

Sir, I am much beholden To your good chivalry. What thanks is mine To give, is all your own.

KNIGHT