Collected Poems Volume II Part 36

The lights are burning low. Do you not feel A cold breath on your face?

MARIAN

Fling back that shutter!

Look out and tell me what is happening.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[_Flinging back the shutter._]

Look, Look, gossip, how the moon comes dancing in.

Ah, they have driven Prince John across the drawbridge.

They are raising it, now!

[_There are cries in the distance, then a heavy sound of chains clanking and silence. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF turns from the window and stands in the stream of moonlight, pointing to the door on the left._]

Look! Look!

MARIAN

[_Starting up with a cry of fear._]

Ah!

[_The tall figure of a nun glides into the moonlit hall and throwing back her hood reveals the face of QUEEN ELINOR._]

ELINOR

Lady Marion, Tell me quickly, where is Huntingdon hiding?

MARIAN

The Queen!

ELINOR

Yes! Yes! I donned this uncouth garb To pa.s.s through your besiegers. If Prince John Discover it, all is lost. Come, tell me quickly, Where is Robin?

MARIAN

Escaped, I hope.

ELINOR

Not here?

MARIAN

No!

ELINOR

Come, dear Lady Marian, do not doubt me.

I am here to save you both.

MARIAN

He is not here.

ELINOR

Ah, but you know where I may find him, Marian.

All will be lost if you delay to tell me Where I may speak with him. He is in peril.

By dawn Prince John will have five hundred men Beleaguering the castle. You are all ruined Unless you trust me! Armies will scour the woods To hunt him down. Even now he may be wounded, Helpless to save himself.

MARIAN

Wounded!

ELINOR

Dear child, Take me to him. Here, on this holy cross, My mother's dying gift, I swear to you I wish to save him.

MARIAN

Oh, but how?

ELINOR

Trust me!

MARIAN

Wounded! He may be wounded! Oh, if I could, I'd go to him! I am helpless, prisoned here.

My father ...

ELINOR

I alone can save your father.

Give me your word that if I can persuade him, You'll lead me to your lover's hiding place, And let me speak with him.

[_Enter FITZWALTER._]

Ah, my Lord Fitzwalter!

FITZWALTER

The queen! O madam, madam, I am driven Beyond myself. This girl, this foolish girl Has brought us all to ruin. This Huntingdon, As I foresaw, foresaw, foretold, foretold, Has dragged me down with him.