Collected Poems Volume II Part 62

Where is Robin Hood?

I have never seen him, but from all one hears He is a wood-G.o.d and a young Apollo, And a more chaste Actaeon all in one.

MASKER

Oh, ay, he never watched Diana bathing, Or, if he did, all Sherwood winked at it.

Who knows? Do you believe a man and maid Can sleep out in the woods all night, as these Have slept a hundred times, and put to shame Our first poor parents; throw the apple aside And float out of their leafy Paradise Like angels?

LADY

No; I fear the forest boughs Could tell sad tales. Oh, I imagine it-- Married to Robin, by a fat hedge-priest Under an altar of hawthorn, with a choir Of sparrows, and a spray of cuckoo-spit For holy water! Oh, the modest chime Of blue-bells from a fairy belfry, a veil Of evening mist, a robe of golden hair; A blade of gra.s.s for a ring; a band of thieves In Lincoln green to witness the sweet bans; A glow-worm for a nuptial taper, a bed Of rose-leaves, and wild thyme and wood-doves' down.

Quick! Draw the bridal curtains--three tall ferns-- Across the cave mouth, lest a star should peep And make the wild rose leap into her face!

Pish! A sweet maid! But where is Robin Hood?

MASKER

I know not; but he'd better have a care Of Mistress Marian. If I know Prince John He has marked her for his own.

LADY

I cannot see What fascinates him.

MASKER

No, you are right, nor I.

PRINCE JOHN

Come, Lady Marian, let me lead you out To tread a measure.

MARIAN

Pray, sir, pardon me!

I am tired.

FITZWALTER

[_Whispering angrily to her._]

Now, Marian, be not so ungracious.

You both abuse him and disparage us.

His courtiers led the ladies they did choose.

Do not displease him, girl. I pray you, go!

Dance out your galliard. G.o.d's dear holy-bread, Y'are too forgetful. Dance, or by my troth, You'll move my patience. I say you do us wrong.

MARIAN

I will do what you will. Lead, lead your dance.

[_Exeunt JOHN and MARIAN._]

FIRST MASKER

[_To a lady, as they come up from the garden._]

Will you not let me see your face now, sweet?

LADY

You hurt my lip with that last kiss of yours.

Hush, do not lean your face so close, I pray you; Loosen my fingers. There's my lord.

FIRST MASKER

Where? Where?

Now, if I know him, I shall know your name!

LADY

That tall man with the damozel in red.

FIRST MASKER

Oh, never fear him. He, too, wore a mask!

I saw them--

[_They pa.s.s out talking._]

SECOND MASKER

[_Looking after them._]

Saw you those two turtle-doves!

SECOND LADY

Yes.

SECOND MASKER

Come with me, I'll show you where I caught them Among the roses, half an hour ago.

[_They laugh and exeunt into the gardens. The music swells up and more dancers appear._]

[_Enter ROBIN HOOD, still in his forester's garb, but wearing a mask. He walks as if wounded and in pain. He sits down in the shadow of a pillar watching, and partly concealed from the throng._]

THIRD LADY

Remember now to say you did not see me Here at the masque.