Collected Poems Volume II Part 72

[_She falls back unconscious. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF, a green spray in his hand, opens the cas.e.m.e.nt and stands for a moment in the window against the last glow of sunset, then enters and runs to the side of ROBIN._]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[_Hurriedly._]

Awake, awake, Robin, awake!

The forest waits to help you! All the leaves Are listening for your bugle. Ah, where is it?

Let but one echo sound and the wild flowers Will break thro' these grey walls and the green sprays Drag down these deadly towers. Wake, Robin, wake, And let the forest drown the priest's grey song With happy murmurs. Robin, the gates are open For you and Marian! All I had to give I have given to thrust them open, the dear gates Of fairyland which I shall never pa.s.s Again. I can no more, I am but a shadow, Dying as mortals die! It is not I That calls, not I, but Marian. Hear her voice!

Robin, awake!

O, master mine, farewell!

[_Exit lingeringly through the cas.e.m.e.nt._]

ROBIN

[_ROBIN is dimly seen in the mouth of the alcove. He stretches out his hands blindly in the dark._]

Marian! Why do you call to me in dreams?

Why do you call me? I must go. What's this?

Help me, kind G.o.d, for I must say one word, Only one word--good-bye--to Marian, To Marian--Ah, too weak, too weak!

[_He sees the dark body of MARIAN and utters a cry, falling on his knees beside her._]

O G.o.d, Marian! Marian!

My bugle! Ah, my bugle!

[_He rises to his feet and, drowning the distant organ-music, he blows a resounding forest-call. It is answered by several in the forest. He falls on his knees by MARIAN and takes her in his arms._]

O Marian, Marian, who hath used thee so?

MARIAN

Robin, it is my death-wound. Ah, come close.

ROBIN

Marian, Marian, what have they done to thee?

[_The OUTLAWS are heard thundering at the gates with cries._]

OUTLAWS

Robin! Robin! Robin! Break down the doors.

[_The terrified nuns stream past the window, out of the chapel.

The OUTLAWS rush into the room. The scene still darkens._]

SCARLET

Robin and Marian!

LITTLE JOHN

Christ, what devil's hand Hath played the butcher here? Quick, hunt them down, They pa.s.sed out yonder. Let them not outlive Our murdered king and queen.

REYNOLD GREENLEAF

O Robin, Robin, Who shot this bitter shaft into her breast?

[_Several stoop and kneel by the two lovers._]

ROBIN HOOD

Speak to me, Marian, speak to me, only speak!

Just one small word, one little loving word Like those--do you remember?--you have breathed So many a time and often, against my cheek, Under the boughs of Sherwood, in the dark At night, with nothing but the boughs and stars Between us and the dear G.o.d up in heaven!

O G.o.d, why does a man's heart take so long To break? It would break sooner if you spoke A word to me, a word, one small kind word.

MARIAN

Sweetheart!

ROBIN

Sweetheart! You have broken it, broken it! Oh, kind, Kind heart of Marian!

MARIAN

Robin, come soon!

[_Dies._]

ROBIN

Soon, sweetheart! Oh, her sweet brave soul is gone!

Marian, I follow quickly!

SCARLET

G.o.d, Kirklee Shall burn for this!

LITTLE JOHN

Kirklee shall burn for this!

O master, master, you shall be avenged!

ROBIN

No; let me stand upright! Your hand, good Scarlet!