TimesBallads of Robin Hood
Scene
Seven -
Cast
Much the Miller's son, Will Scarlet, Eleanor Dale, Gamble Gold,
Sir Richard at the Lee, Marian
Unable
to find Robin Hood in Sherwood, the King and his courtiers have changed into
monks' habits as a temptation to outlaws. The king, wearing a big cowl and broad
hood looks like an Abbot; though truth to tell, he is still wearing his stiff
boots as he walks through the greenwood leading his courtiers all clothed in
grey.
They
come across Robin Hood and his men.
Robin:
Sir Abbot, by your leave, you must linger here awhile. We are yeomen of this
forest who live on our King's deer under the greenwood tree, for we have no
other way to live. You have churches and rents and stores of gold a-plenty, so
give us some of your money for Saint Charity.
King:
I have brought no more
than £40 into the greenwood with me. I have been staying at
Robin
takes the £40 and gives half to his men, telling them to make merry. The other
half he courteously returns to the King.
Robin:
Sir, keep this as your pay for we shall meet another day.
King:
Much obliged. I bring you
greetings from our King who sends you his Seal under the greenwood tree and bids
you to
The
King shows the great Seal to Robin who sinks down on one knee
Robin:
I love no man in all the
world as well as I do my King. Welcome is my lord's seal and welcome is the monk
for bringing me these tidings. For the love of my King you shall dine with me,
Sir Abbot, under my trysting tree.
Marian,
Sir Richard at the Lee, Eleanor Dale, and Gamble Gold arrive and Robin
introduces them to the Abbot and his monks.
Robin,
Little John and Eleanor generously serve the King themselves with venison, wastel bread,
red wine and brown ale.
Robin:
Come dear Eleanor, be good enough
to sing for us.
Eleanor sings the Ballad of Robin Hood and the Pedlar
Robin:
Good appetite, Sir Abbot
and a blessing on you for bringing me this news. Before you go, you shall see
what kind of life we lead so that you may inform the King when you see him.
King:
What a wonder seemly
sight this is! Methinks your men are more at your bidding than the King’s men
are at his.
And
the King, much impressed, sings Bowmen of the Greenwood
Suddenly,
the outlaws leap to their feet and draw back their bows. The King looked aghast
for a moment thinking they mean to hurt him, but instead they set up two rods as
targets each fastened with a rose garland.
King:
They are too far away - by fifty paces.
Robin:
Not too far for any
yeoman of mine. Whoever shoots outside the garland shall lose his tackle,
however fine, and forfeit it to the winner. And he shall also receive a buffet
on the head. No one will be spared so drink your ale and wine
Twice
Robin splits the rod in two and does not spare Little John nor Will Scarlet when
they both fail - giving each of them a hefty thump. The last arrow that Robin
shoots misses the garland by three fingers or more.
Little
John: Master, you have
lost your tackle. Come forward and take your pay
Robin:
So let it be. Sir Abbot, I delivered the arrow so I give you my tackle and you
deliver my blow.
King:
Even by your leave Robin,
it is not fitting for my order to strike a yeoman for fear an injury he may
receive.
Robin:
Strike boldly, you have
my fullest leave.
The
King rolls up his sleeve and gives Robin such a buffet that the outlaw falls
full length on the ground.
Robin:
I swear to God you are a stalwart brother. There is strength in your arm and I
have no doubt that you can also shoot a bow as well as any other.
Sir
Richard at the Lee looks intently into the King’s face before doffing his cap
and kneeling in front of the King.
Sir
Richard: 'Tis
the king! Kneel, Robin, 'tis the King!
The
King thrusts aside the cowl from his head and the black robes to reveal the silk
surtout blazoned with the leopards of
Robin:
My lord, the King of England! Now I know you well!
King:
Why do you kneel, Robin,
are thou not the king of the Greenwood
? I must ask you mercy under your trysting tree of your goodness and your grace
for my men and me.
Robin:
Of thy goodness and
grace, give us mercy and grant a pardon for all my men and me.
King:
Yes, I grant it, for that
is the reason I came to the greenwood. But you and your men must leave the
greenwood and come to court to dwell with me.
Robin:
So it shall be so, my lord. I will come to court to serve you and bring seven
score of my men with good cheer. But I ask a boon - unless I like your service,
I will return to Sherwood Forest
to shoot the brown deer.
King:
Agreed.
Robin
turns to Sir Richard: Sir
Richard, gentle knight, may I address you concerning your dearest, most loyal
daughter, Marian. May I have the hand of your daughter, fair Marian, in
marriage.
Sir
Richard: I approve of
course but it is really up to Marian herself to decide. . .
Robin sings Dear Marian
Robin
then produces a ring from his pocket and addresses Marian.
Robin:
Dearest Marian, this ring
my mother gave me; it was her own betrothal ring. She prayed me when I loved a
maid with all my heart to pass this band down a finger of that hand which should
be mine thereafter. Will you have it? Will you wear it?
Marian:
That I will, dear Robin, and never part with it. Not while the swallow swoops
and glides, not while the lark sings on high, not while the smoke curls above
the cottage roof and white clouds roll across the sky. Not while the stream
babbles by the door and the sea breaks upon the shore – never.
The
King joins the hands of Robin and Marian together.
King:
Marian, you are giving up
wealth and honours to come to this good archer but you have chosen a bold man
and a brave one.
Full Company sing The Greenwood Tree
Sherwood
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