The Death of Robert, Earle of Hvntington :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Death of Robert, Earle of Hvntington

Otherwise Called Robin Hood of merrie Sherwodde : with the lamentable Tragedie of chaste Matilda, his faire maid Marian, poysoned at Dunmowe by King Iohn

Chettle, Henry

THE DEATH OF ROBERT, EARLE OF HVNTINGTON.

SCEANE. I,

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SCEANE. I,

Enter Frier Tucke.
Frier.

Holla , holla, holla: follow, follow, followe.
Like noyse within.
Now benedicite, what fowle absurditie,
follie & foolerie had like to followed
mee! I & my mates, like addle
pates, inuiting great States, to see
our last play, are hunting the hay,
with ho, that way, the goodly Heart ranne, with followe
little Iohn, Much play the man; and I, like a sot, haue
wholly forgot the course of our plot: but crosse-bowe
lye downe, come on Friers gowne, hoode couer my
crowne, and with a lowe becke, preuent a sharpe
checke.

Blithe sit yee all, and winke at our rude cry,
Minde where wee left, in Sheerewod merrily,
The king, his traine, Robin, his yeomen tall
Gone to the wodde to see the fat deare fall:
Wee left maid Marian busie in the bower,
And prettie Iinny looking, euery hower,

For their returning from the hunting game,
And therefore seeke to set each thing in frame.
Warman all wofull for his sinne we left.
Sir Doncaster, whose villanies and theft,
You neuer heard of, but too soone yee shall,
Hurt with the Prior; shame them both befall,
They two will make our mirth be short and small.
But least I bring yee sorrowe ere the time,
Pardon I beg of your well iudging eyne,
And take in part bad prologue, and rude play:
The hunters holloo, Tucke must needes away.

Therefore downe weede, bowe doe the deede, to make
the Stagge bleede, and if my hand speede, hey for a cry,
w
t a throate strained hie, & a lowde yall, at the beasts fall.

Exit. Holloo within.
Enter King, Ely, Fitzwater, Salsbury, Chester, Prince Iohn, little Iohn, Scathlocke.
Kin.
Where is our mother?

Pr. Iohn.
Mounted in a stand.
Sir fallowe deere haue dyed by her hand.

Fitz.
Three Stags I slewe.

Ely.
Two Bucks by me fell downe.

Chest.
As many dyed by mee.

Sals.
But I had three.

Prin.
Scathlocke, wheres Much?

Sca.
When last I saw him, may it please your Grace,
He and the Frier footed it apace.

Prin.
Scathlocke, no Grace, your fellowe & plaine Iohn.

Lit. Ioh.
I warrant you, Much will be here anone.

Pr.
Thinkst thou little Iohn, that he must Iinny wed'?

Lit. Ioh.
No doubt he must.

Prin.

Then to adorne hie head, we shall haue hornes
good store.

King.
God, for thy grace,

How could I misse the Stagge I had in chase!
Twice did I hit him in the very necke,
When backe my arrowes flewe, as they had smit
On some sure armour. Where is Robin Hood,
And y wighte Scarlet? Seeke them little Iohn.
Exit Ioh.
Ile haue that Stagge before I dine to day.

Enter Much.
Much.
O the frier, the frier, the frier.

King.
Why, how now Much?

Cry ye mercy, master king. Marry this is the matter;
Scarlet is following the Stagge you hit, and has almost
lodg'd him: now the Frier has the best bowe, but
yours, in all the field: which and Scarlet had, he would
haue him straight.

Kin.
Where is thy master?

Much.
Nay, I cannot tell, nor the Frier neither.

Scath.
I heare them holloo, farre off in the wod.

King.
Come Much, canst lead vs where as Scarlet is?

Muc.
Neuer feare you; follow me.

Exeunt, hollooing.