Collected Poems Volume II Part 34

Sir, English maidens do; and I am plighted Not to a prince, but to an outlawed man.

JOHN

Listen to me! One word! Marian, one word!

I never meant you harm! Indeed, what harm Could come of this? Is not your father poor?

I'd make him rich! Is not your lover outlawed?

I'd save him from the certain death that waits him.

You say the forest-laws afflict your soul And his--you say you'd die for their repeal!

Well--I'll repeal them. All the churls in England Shall bless your name and mix it in their prayers With heaven itself.

MARIAN

The price?

JOHN

You call it that!

To let me lay the world before your feet, To let me take this little hand in mine.

Why should I hide my love from you?

MARIAN

No more, I'll hear no more! You are a prince, you say?

JOHN

One word--suppose it some small sacrifice, To save those churls for whom you say your heart Bleeds; yet you will not lift your little finger To save them! And what hinders you?--A breath, A dream, a golden rule! Can you not break it For a much greater end?

MARIAN

I'd die to save them.

JOHN

Then live to save them.

MARIAN

No, you will not let me; D'you think that bartering my soul will help To save another? If there's no way but this, Then through my lips those suffering hundreds cry, We choose the suffering. All that is good in them, All you have left, all you have not destroyed, Cries out against you: and I'll go to them, Suffer and toil and love and die with them Rather than touch your hand. You over-rate Your power to hurt our souls. You are mistaken!

There is a golden rule!

JOHN

And with such lips You take to preaching! I was a fool to worry Your soul with reason. With hair like yours--it's hopeless!

But Marian--you shall hear me.

[_He catches her in his arms._]

Yes, by G.o.d, Marian, you shall! I love you.

MARIAN

[_Struggling._]

You should not live!

JOHN

One kiss, then! Devil take it.

[_Enter FITZWALTER above._]

MARIAN

[_Wresting herself free._]

You should not live!

Were I a man and not a helpless girl You should not live!

JOHN

Come, now, that's very wicked.

See how these murderous words affright your father.

My good Fitzwalter, there's no need to look So ghastly. For your sake and hers and mine I have been trying to make your girl forget The name of Huntingdon. A few short months At our gay court would blot his memory out!

I promise her a life of dazzling pleasures, And, in return she flies at me--a tigress-- Clamouring for my blood! Try to persuade her!

FITZWALTER

My lord, you are very good. She must decide Herself.

JOHN

[_Angrily._]

I'll not be trifled with! I hold The hand of friends.h.i.+p out and you evade it, The moment I am gone, back comes your outlaw.

You say you have no power with your own child!

Well, then I'll take her back this very night; Back to the court with me. How do I know What treasons you are hatching here? I'll take her As hostage for yourself.

FITZWALTER

My lord, you jest!

I have sworn to you.

JOHN

No more! If you be loyal, What cause have you to fear?

FITZWALTER