A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 40

FRIAR. It was my master's whole desire That maiden, yeoman, swain, and friar, Their arts and wits should all apply For pleasure of your majesty.

QUEEN. Son Richard, look, I pray you, on the ring, That was about the neck of the last stag.

CHES. Was his name Scarlet, that shot off his neck?

JOHN. Chester, it was this honest fellow Scarlet: This is the fellow, and a yeoman bold As ever cours'd the swift hart on the mould.

KING. Friar, here's somewhat 'graved upon the ring; I pray thee read it: meanwhile, list to me.

[_This while most compa.s.sing the_ FRIAR _about the ring_.

Scarlet and Scathlock, you bold brethren, Twelvepence a day I give each for his fee; And henceforth see ye live like honest men.

BOTH. We will, my liege, else let us die the death.

MUCH. A boon, a boon, upon my knee, Good King Richard, I beg of thee!

For indeed, sir, the troth is, Much is my father, and he is one of your tenants, in King's Mill at Wakefield, all on a green:-- O there dwelleth a jolly pinder, At Wakefield, all on a green.[272]

Now I would have you, if you will do so much for me, to set me forward in the way of marriage to Jenny: the mill would not be cast away upon us.

KING. Much, be thou ever master of that mill: I give it thee for thine inheritance.

MUCH. Thanks, precious prince of courtesy.

I'll to Jenny, and tell her of my lands, i'faith.

[_Exit_.

JOHN. Here, Friar, here; here it begins.

FRIAR (_reads_). "When Harold Harefoot reigned king, About my neck he put this ring."

KING. In Harold's time? more than a hundred year Hath this ring been about this new-slain deer!

I am sorry now it died; but let the same Head, ring and all, be sent to Nottingham, And in the castle kept for monument.[273]

FITZ. My liege, I heard an old tale long ago, That Harold, being G.o.dwin's son of Kent,[274]

When he had got fair England's government, Hunted for pleasure once within this wood, And singled out a fair and stately stag, Which foot to foot the king in running caught: And sure this was the stag.

KING. It was, no doubt.

CHES. But some, my lord, affirm That Julius Caesar, many years before, Took such a stag, and such a poesy writ.

KING. It should not be in Julius Caesar's time.

There was no English used in this land Until the Saxons came; and this is writ In Saxon characters.

JOHN. Well, 'twas a goodly beast.

_Enter_ ROBIN HOOD.

KING. How now, Earl Robert?

FRIAR. A forfeit, a forfeit, my liege lord!

My master's laws are on record!

The court-roll here your grace may see.

KING. I pray thee, Friar, read it me.[275]

FRIAR. One shall suffice, and this is he.

No man, that cometh in this wood To feast or dwell with Robin Hood, Shall call him earl, lord, knight, or squire: He no such t.i.tles doth desire, But Robin Hood, plain Robin Hood, That honest yeoman stout and good, On pain of forfeiting a mark, That must be paid to me his clerk.

My liege, my liege, this law you broke, Almost in the last word you spoke: That crime may not acquitted be, Till Friar Tuck receive his fee.

KING. There's more than twenty marks, mad Friar.

[_Casts him purse_.

FRIAR. If thus you pay the clerk his hire, Oft may you forfeit, I desire.

You are a perfect penitent, And well you do your wrong repent: For this your highness' liberal gift I here absolve you without shrift.

KING. Gramercies, Friar. Now, Robin Hood, Sith Robin Hood it needs must be, I was about to ask before, If thou didst see the great stag's fall.

ROB. H. I did, my lord, I saw it all; But missing this same prating friar, And hearing you so much desire To have the losel's company, I went to seek Small-Honesty.

FRIAR. But you found Much, when you found me.

ROB. H. Ay, Much my man; but not a jot Of honesty in thee, G.o.d wot.

QUEEN. Robin, you do abuse the Friar.

FRIAR. Madam, I dare not call him liar: He may be bold with me, he knows.

How now, Prince John, how goes, how goes This woodman's life with you to-day?

My fellow Woodnet you would be.

JOHN. I am thy fellow, thou dost see; And to be plain, as G.o.d me save, So well I like thee, merry knave, That I thy company must have: Nay, and I will.

FRIAR. Nay, and you shall.

ROB. H. My lord, you need not fear at all, But you shall have his company: He will be bold, I warrant you.

KING. Know you, where-e'er a spring is nigh?

Fain would I drink, I am right dry.

ROB. H. I have a drink within my bower Of pleasant taste and sovereign power: My reverend uncle gives it me, To give unto your majesty.

KING. I would be loth, indeed, being in heat To drink cold water. Let us to thy bower.

ROB. H. Run, Friar, before, And bid my uncle be in readiness.

FRIAR. Gone in a trice[276] on such good business.

[_Exeunt omnes_.