Collected Poems Volume II Part 47

SECOND RUSTIC

Why, father, one would never think to see thee Thou had'st so sound a heart!

FIRST RUSTIC

Ah, here they come!

The Sheriff and his men; and, in the midst, There's poor Will Scarlet bound.

THE CROWD MURMURS

Ah, here they come!

Look at the halberts shining! Can you see him?

FIRST RUSTIC

There, there he is. His face is white: but, Lord, He takes it bravely.

SECOND RUSTIC

He's a brave man, Will.

SHERIFF

Back with the crowd there, guards; delay no time!

SOME WOMEN IN THE CROWD

Ah, ah, poor lad!

ROBIN

[_Eagerly._]

What are they doing now?

I cannot see!

FIRST RUSTIC

The Sheriff's angered now!

SECOND RUSTIC

Ay, for they say a messenger has come From that same G.o.dless hangman whose lean neck I'd like to twist, saying he is delayed.

'Tis the first G.o.dly deed he has ever done.

THIRD RUSTIC

The Sheriff says he will not be delayed.

But who will take the hangman's office?

ROBIN

Masters, I have a thought; make way; let me bespeak The Sheriff!

RUSTICS

How now, father, what's to do?

ROBIN

Make way, I tell you. Here's the man they want!

SHERIFF

What's this?

ROBIN

Good master Sheriff, I've a grudge Against Will Scarlet. Let me have the task Of sending him to heaven!

CROWD

Ah-h-h, the old devil!

SHERIFF

Come on, then, and be brief!

ROBIN

I'm not a hangman; But I can cleave your thinnest hazel wand At sixty yards.

SHERIFF

Shoot, then, and make an end.

Make way there, clear the way!

[_An opening is made in the crowd. ROBIN stands in the gap, WILL SCARLET is not seen by the audience._]

CROWD

Ah-h-h, the old devil!

ROBIN

I'll shoot him one on either side, just graze him, To show you how I love him; then the third Slick in his heart.

[_He shoots. A murmur goes up from the crowd. The crowd hides WILL SCARLET during the shooting. But ROBIN remains in full view, in the opening._]