Collected Poems Volume II Part 55

REYNOLD GREENLEAF

Was to be wedded, sire, against her will Last May, to a rich old baron.

RICHARD

Pigeon-pie-- And Malmsey--yes--a rich old baron--tell!

ROBIN

Sire, on the wedding day, my merry men Crowded the aisles with uninvited guests; And, as the old man drew forth the golden ring, They threw aside their cloaks with one great shout Of 'Sherwood'; and, for all its crimson panes, The church was one wild sea of Lincoln green!

The Forest had broken in, sire, and the bride Like a wild rose tossing on those green boughs, Was borne away and wedded here by Tuck To her true lover; and so--his harp is ours.

ALLAN-A-DALE

No feasting song, sire, but the royal theme Of chivalry--a song I made last night In yonder ruined chapel. It is called _The Old Knight's Vigil_.

RICHARD

Our hearts will keep it young!

[_ALLAN-A-DALE sings, SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF raises his head among the ferns._]

[_Song._]

I

Once, in this chapel, Lord Young and undaunted, Over my virgin sword Lightly I chaunted,-- "Dawn ends my watch. I go s.h.i.+ning to meet the foe!"

II

"Swift with thy dawn," I said, "Set the lists ringing!

Soon shall thy foe be sped, And the world singing!

Bless my bright plume for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.

[_SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF rises to his knees amongst the ferns._]

III

"War-worn I kneel to-night, Lord, by Thine altar!

Oh, in to-morrow's fight, Let me not falter!

Bless my dark arms for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.

IV

"Keep Thou my broken sword All the long night through While I keep watch and ward!

Then--the red fight through, Bless the wrenched haft for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.

V

"Keep, in thy pierced hands, Still the bruised helmet: Let not their hostile bands Wholly o'erwhelm it!

Bless my poor s.h.i.+eld for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.

VI

"Keep Thou the sullied mail, Lord, that I tender Here, at Thine altar-rail!

Then--let Thy splendour Touch it once ... and I go Stainless to meet the foe."

[_SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF rises to his feet and takes a step towards the minstrel._]

[_Curtain._]

ACT IV

SCENE I. _Garden of the King's Palace. Enter JOHN and ELINOR._

ELINOR

You will be king the sooner! Not a month In England, and my good son Lion-Heart Must wander over-seas again. These two, Huntingdon and his bride, must bless the star Of errant knighthood.

JOHN

He stayed just long enough To let them pa.s.s one fearless honeymoon In the broad sunlight of his royal favour, Then, like a meteor off goes great King Richard, And leaves them but the shadow of his name To shelter them from my revenge. They know it!

I have seen her s.h.i.+ver like a startled fawn And draw him closer, d.a.m.n him, as I pa.s.sed.

ELINOR

They would have flitted to the woods again But for my Lord Fitzwalter.

JOHN

That old fool Has wits enough to know I shall be king, And for his land's sake cheats himself to play Sir Pandarus of Troy. "'Tis wrong, dear daughter, To think such evil." Pah, he makes me sick!

ELINOR

Better to laugh. He is useful.

JOHN

If I were king!

If Richard were to perish over-seas!

I'd--

ELINOR