University of Virginia Library

Scene II.

ROBIN'S ROOST. D. Horn. Robin discovered asleep.
Robin.
Well flown—good shaft! Again! again, my lad!
He'll nick it, now! Out, out! you'll drive me mad!
Will Scarlet! Allan! Hand my bow, my boy.
Marian, my darling! Are my stockings dry?
Oh, this wild life!—A tanner? Stand aside!
I'll bet a tanner that I tan his hide.
Another staff! Here, Much; a bout or two;
And, beat him; or I shan't think much of you.
Fill up! Let's dance a round. It's getting cold,
Licked! Licked again! That fellow's good as gold!
Oh, this wild life!

The vision of Aurora, the Fairy, the Queen of the Morning Star.
Fairy Queen.
What, Robin! Sound asleep? This will not do.
Sleep may be good for watchmen,—not for you.
Bold rangers of the forests, wild and wide;
The Saxon freeman's bulwark, and his pride!
Hawks are abroad; sharps, beaks; and wild wings flapping:
And, they'll be felt, too; if they catch thee napping.
Thy Marian, dear, by hunters is surrounded:
Wake up, my buck, or else thy doe'll be pounded!
But, know, brave forester,—when dangers lower,
I will defend thee with my magic power!
RECITATIVE.
“Thy friend am I; wherever thou do'st range;
My woodland sovereign ne'er shall want for change.
Take this! 'Twas wrought by an unearthly hand:
And, at a pinch, will bring me down from fairy land:
Or,—if you like,—when things are looking ill
'Twill wisk you to my magic halls, at will.”
So, Robert, we're on visiting terms, you see,
Send me your carte. Adieu! Remember me!

The Fairy Queen disappears mysteriously.
Robin
(starting up).
Hollo! my bounding bucks! Will! Allan! John!
What, lads! Wherever are the fellows gone?
My harts of oak! Will Scarlet! Will; I say!
If ever I've a snooze, it's just the way.
Will Scarlet! John!

Enter Will Scarlet and Little John.
Little John.
Hollo!

Robin.
I said “Hollo!”
I've hollo'd till I'm hollow as a drum, d'ye know;
Where's Allan? Where's the miller's lad? and Tuck?

Little John.
Tuck's tuk French leave.

Enter Tuck, with a capon on a fork, followed by Allan-a-Dale, and Much, the Miller's son.
Tuck.
Not I. It's roasted duck.

Robin.
Oh,—aye? It's a tuck in you're at, I see;
No wonder, Tuck, you tuk no heed of me.

Little John.
Tuck in, Tuck, lad; and sweet be thy repast!

Robin.
Let him tuck in;—he'll be tucked up, at last.

Tuck.
The ale was muddy; and the cheese was Dutch:
The duck's an old un; and,—I've tuk too much.

Robin.
But, tell me, friar, Is there a fire?

Tuck.
A good un.
Allan-a-Dale's just clapped a lot o' wood on.

Robin.
No time to cook a rasher or a steak on?

Tuck.
Time! Time i' faith! we've far more time than bacon.

Robin.
Ho! So, you're here, at last! Well; lend your ears!
Let your tongues sleep; and waken up your fears.
There's danger in the wind! We're hard beset!
Be sharp, this whet, or else, it's heavy wet!
Flit to the Knarl-wood glade, my merry men!
You know the spot. It's near the willow glen.
By stealthy windings, to that place repair;
And,—when the moon is up—

Little John.
You'll meet us there?

Robin.
No, I'm engaged, just now. Guess who I've seem.
I've had a visit from the Fairy Queen!
A queen! Oh,—such a doe! I doat upon her!
That face! That form! Oh,—lads! The queen's a—stunner!
To th'fairy Windsor she's invited me;
So, I've a friend at court, at last, you see.
She's made it easy, too; for, in this thicket,
She gave me,—never mind; its just the ticket!
By royal train, through realms of air I fly.
I've got the queen's free pass. So, now, good bye!

Tuck.
Can I go?

Robin.
Go? No! The queen is chary.
The company's select in regions airy.
My merry men; be off! Absquotulate!
It's near her tea-time. And I'll not be late.