A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Viii Part 41

SCENE III.[277]

_Enter_ MARIAN, _with a white ap.r.o.n_.

MAR. What, Much! What, Jenny! Much, I say!

MUCH. What's the matter, mistress?

MAR. I pray thee, see the fueller Suffer the cook to want no wood.

Good Lord, where is this idle girl?

Why, Jenny!

JENNY (_within_). I come, forsooth.

MAR. I pray thee, bring the flowers forth.

MUCH. I'll go send her, mistress, and help the cooks, if they have any need.

MAR. Despatch, good Much. What, Jen, I say!

_Enter_ JENNY.

MUCH. Hie ye, hie ye! she calls for life. [_Exit_ MUCH.

MAR. Indeed, indeed, you do me wrong, To let me cry, and call so long.

JEN. Forsooth, I straw'd[278] the dining bowers, And smooth'd the walks with herbs and flowers.

The yeomen's tables I have spread, Dress'd salts, laid trenchers, set on bread.

Nay, all is well, I warrant you.

MAR. You are not well, I promise you, Your 'foresleeves are not pinn'd; fie, fie!

And all your head-gear stands awry.

Give me the flowers. Go in, for shame, And quickly see you mend the same.

[_Exit_ JENNY.

_Enter_ SIR DONCASTER, PRIOR. MARIAN _strewing flowers_.

DON. How busy Mistress Marian is!

She thinks this is her day of bliss.

PRIOR. But it shall be the wofull'st day That ever chanc'd her, if I may.

MAR. Why are you two thus in the air?

Your wounds are green. Good coz, have care.

PRIOR. Thanks for your kindness, gentle maid: My cousin Robert us hath prayed To help him in his business.

_Enter_ FRIAR.

FRIAR. Sir Doncaster, Sir Doncaster!

DON. Holla!

FRIAR. I pray you, did you see the Prior?

PRIOR. Why, here I am. What wouldst thou. Friar?

FRIAR. The king is heated in the chase, And posteth hitherward apace.

He told my master he was dry, And he desires ye presently To send the drink whereof ye spake.

PRIOR. Come, it is here: haste let us make.

[_Exeunt_ DONCASTER, PRIOR, _and_ FRIAR.

_Horns blow.

Enter_ KING, QUEEN, JOHN, SCARLET, SCATHLOCK, ELY, FITZWATER, SALISBURY, CHESTER.

MARIAN _kneels down_.

MAR. Most gracious sovereign, welcome once again: Welcome to you and all your princely train.

KING. Thanks, lovely hostess; we are homely guests.

Where's Robin Hood? he promis'd me some drink.

MAR. Your handmaid, Robin, will not then be long: The Friar, indeed, came running to his uncle, Who, with Sir Doncaster, were here with me, And all together went for such a drink.

KING. Well, in a better time it could not come, For I am very hot and pa.s.sing dry.

_Enter_ ROBIN HOOD, _with a cup, a towel, leading_ DONCASTER: TUCK _and_ MUCH _pulling the_ PRIOR.

ROB. H. Traitor! I'll draw thee out before the king.

FRIAR. Come, murderous Prior.

MUCH. Come, ye dog's face.

KING. Why, how now, Robin? Where's the drink you bring?

ROB. H. Lay hold on these!

Far be it I should bring your majesty The drink these two prepared for your taste.

KING. Why, Robin Hood? be brief and answer me.

I am amazed at thy troubled looks.

ROB. H. Long will not my ill-looks amaze your grace; I shortly look never to look again.

MAR. Never to look! What, will it still be night?