A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 24

ROB. H. Father, I am.

FITZ. G.o.d give your soul much good For this good meat Maid Marian hath given me.

But hear me, master; can you tell me news, Where fair Matilda is, Fitzwater's daughter?

ROB. H. Why, here she is; this Marian is she.

FITZ. Why did she change her name?

ROB. H. What's that to thee?

FITZ. Yes, I could weep for grief that it is so, But that my tears are all dried up with woe.

ROB. H. Why, she is called Maid Marian, honest friend, Because she lives a spotless maiden life; And shall, till Robin's outlaw life have end, That he may lawfully take her to wife; Which, if King Richard come, will not be long, For in his hand is power to right our wrong.

FITZ. If it be thus, I joy in her name's change: So pure love in these times is very strange.

MAR. Robin, I think it is my aged father. [_Aside_.

ROB. H. Tell me, old man, tell me in courtesy, Are you no other than you seem to be?

FITZ. I am a wretched aged man, you see, If you will do me aught for charity: Further than this, sweet, do not question me.

ROB. H. You shall have your desire. But what be these?

_Enter_ FRIAR TUCK _and_ JENNY_, like pedlars, singing.

What lack ye? what lack ye?

What is it you will buy?

Any points, pins or laces, Any laces, points or pins?

Fine gloves, fine gla.s.ses, Any busks or masks?

Or any other pretty things?

Come, cheap for love, or buy for money.

Any coney, coney-skins?

For laces, points or pins?

Fair maids, come choose or buy.

I have pretty poking-sticks,[207]

And many other tricks, Come, choose for love, or buy for money_.

ROB. H. Pedlar, I prythee set thy pack down here: Marian shall buy, if thou be not too dear.

TUCK. Jenny, unto thy mistress show thy pack.

Master, for you I have a pretty knack, From far I brought, please you see to the same.

[_Exeunt_ ROBIN HOOD, MARIAN, _and_ FITZWATER.

_Enter_ SIR DONCASTER _and others, weaponed_.[208]

FRIAR. Sir Doncaster, are not we pedlar-like?

DON. Yes, pa.s.sing fit; and yonder is the bower.

I doubt not we shall have him in our power.

FRIAR. You and your company were best stand close.

DON. What shall the watchword be to bring us forth?

FRIAR. Take it, I pray, though it be much more worth: When I speak that aloud, be sure I serve The execution presently on him.

DON. Friar, look to't.

FRIAR. Now, Jenny, to your song. [_Sings_.

_Enter_ MARIAN, ROBIN.

MAR. Pedlar, what pretty toys have you to sell?

FRIAR. Jenny, unto your mistress show your ware.

MAR. Come in, good woman. [_Exeunt_.

FRIAR. Master, look here, And G.o.d give ear, So mote I the[209], To her and me, If ever we, Robin, to thee, That art so free.

Mean treachery.

ROB. H. On, pedlar, to thy pack; If thou love me, my love thou shalt not lack.

FRIAR. Master, in brief, There is a thief, That seeks your grief.

G.o.d send relief To you in need.

For a foul deed, If not with speed You take good heed, There is decreed.

In yonder brake There lies a snake, That means to take Out of this wood The yeoman good, Call'd Robin Hood.

ROB. H. Pedlar, I prythee be more plain.

What brake? what snake? what trap? what train?

FRIAR. Robin, I am a holy friar, Sent by the Prior, Who did me hire, For to conspire Thy endless woe And overthrow: But thou shalt know, I am the man Whom Little John From Nottingham Desir'd to be A clerk to thee; For he to me Said thou wert free, And I did see Thy honesty, From gallow-tree When thou didst free Scathlock and Scarlet certainly[210].

ROB. H. Why, then, it seems that thou art Friar Tuck.

FRIAR. Master, I am.

ROB. H. I pray thee, Friar, say, What treachery is meant to me this day?

FRIAR. First wind your horn; then draw your sword.

[_ROBIN HOOD winds his horn_.

For I have given a friar's word, To take your body prisoner, And yield you to Sir Doncaster, The envious priest of Hothersfield, Whose power your bushy wood doth shield; But I will die ere you shall yield.

_Enter_ LITTLE JOHN, &c.

And sith your yeomen do appear, I'll give the watchword without fear.