University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

SCENE I.

SCENE, before Graspall's House.
Enter Robin Hood and Graspall.
Graspall.
I cannot yet the stubborn Girl subdue:
Try, good Sir Humphrey, try what you can do.

R. Hood.
I make no doubt to win the clay-cold Maid,
I'll answer for't she'll like my Serenade.
AIR.

SCENE II.

Primrose appears.
Primrose.
What Noise is that does every Sense affright?
Sure all the Cats have strol'd abroad to Night.
AIR.

R. Hood.
Thy Wit is shrewd, this to thy Mistress bear,
This Purse, good Primrose, shall reward thy Care.

[He throws a Letter and Purse in at the Window.
Graspall.
I wish you good Success, but yet I dread
This vile Leander turns the Wench's Head.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

A Chamber.
Enter Clarinda and Primrose.
Clarinda.
Oh gen'rous Robin Hood! thy Care demands
Eternal Obligation at my Hands—
Do thou, dear Primrose, seek our foolish Squire;
Tell the pert Wretch I him alone admire:
Let him with all his Speed our Steps pursue,
Else I am ever ravish'd from his View.
[Ex. Prim.
AIR.

SCENE IV.

Enter Graspall and Robin Hood.
Graspall.
Still must I beg, and pray, and all in vain?
And shall I ne'er a Father's Right obtain?
What I propose, you stubbornly refuse,
And shun the worthy Gentleman I choose.

R. Hood.
The Hand of Time has bleach'd each changing Hair,
My Person long has ceas'd to charm the Fair;
But I've a Soul that ne'er did Falshood know,
A Heart that melts at a sweet Lady's woe;
A Hand that still can hardy Acts atchieve,
Redress the Wrong'd, and make Oppression grieve.

Clarinda.
Sir, to your Merits I my Heart resign:
And now, my Father, all your Will is mine.

Graspall.
There's a good Wench: Yet let us haste away,
Lest Glitter should prevent us.

Clarinda.
I obey.

R. Hood.
'Tis scarce six Miles we have to go to-night;
To-morrow, when the Sun resumes his Light,
The chaste Clarinda shall a Husband find,
One that is form'd to make a Virgin kind.

AIR.
[R. Hood.]
I'm like the Sage, whose learned Eye
Has chanc'd among the Flow'rs to spy,
In pride of Youth, a Butterfly,
And caught the beauteous Prize.

Clar.
The Maid, whose Squirrel breaks his Chain,
From Sighs and Tears cannot refrain;
But, if the Wanton come again,
She feels such Joys as I.

Grasp.
The Miser, that a Guinea more
Discovers added to his Store,
With Transport finds his Heart run o'er;
My Joys are full as great.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.

Another Chamber.
Enter Glitter and Primrose, meeting.
Primrose.
Well met, smart Youth! my Mistress bid me say,
Against her Will they hurry her away;
Tow'rds Sherwood-Forest they their Journey bend,
Your only Hopes on Diligence depend:
Your fleetest Racer instantly bestride,
O'ertake them, and Clarinda is your Bride.

Glitter.
I'll be as quick as Light'ning, never fear;
I pay your Kindness with this Kiss, my Dear.

[Exit Primrose.

SCENE VI.

Glitter.
The Fair admire me wheresoe'er I go;
'Twas just the same at Rome, at Paris so.
AIR.

[Exit.

SCENE VII.

The Forest.
Enter Robin Hood, Graspall, Clarinda and Primrose.
R. Hood.
Fear not, sweet Maid, you soon shall see your Swain,
And, lost in Joy, forget your former Pain.

SCENE VIII.

Enter Glitter and Servants.
Glitter.
Oh, there they are—good Mr. Graspall, you
Are strictly just, and to your Promise true.
What do you in yon wither'd Elder see,
That you prefer him to a Man like me?
Here I am come, Sir, to assert my Right,
We're four to two—tho' I choose not to fight.

[Aside.
R. Hood.
Wise Glitter, mark me; and old Father, here
To what I utter lend a patient Ear.
AIR.

Enter Scarlet, John, and Foresters, and seize all the Men.
R. Hood.
Seize these two Wretches, while I step aside,
And fetch a Husband for my chosen Bride.

[Exit.
Graspall.
Ah, would the Earth would swallow me, I'm wild,
My shameful Av'rice has undone my Child.

Clarinda.
Unhappy me, to live to see this Day;
But those ne'er prosper who their Loves betray.

Glitter
to Primrose.
All this I owe to your officious Care,
A Chambermaid's the Devil every where.

AIR.
Clarinda.
Is this my kind Father?
A Tyrant, say rather,
The Cause of a Daughter's Undoing:

Primrose.
O very wise Master!
To bring this Disaster
On those who foresaw it was Ruin.

Grasp.
[aside.]
Shall I sooth her, or huff her?

Pr.
[weeping.]
My Virtue will suffer,
That still has defy'd each Pursuer.

Glitter.
How can I dissemble!
Like an Aspin I tremble:
Ah! I'm an unfortunate Wooer.

SCENE IX.

Enter Robin Hood and Leander.
R. Hood.
This Youth, who long has for your Daughter sigh'd,
Now sues by me, nor must he be deny'd:
Tho' Fortune like a Niggard play'd her Part,
Yet what are Riches to a noble Heart.
But you, Squire Ape, must leave your Horses here,
Your Rings, your Money, and your other Geer:
Trudge home on foot, and when you leave the Wood,
Tell all you see, You met with Robin Hood.

Glitter.
Sweet Sir, one Word.

R. Hood.
If one Word more you speak to change my Mind,
You, with your Clothes, shall leave your Skin behind.

AIR.
Glit.
Fast by some dashing Torrent,
That thunders o'er the Sea,
From Morn to Night I'll weep my Fate
Beneath a Willow-Tree.
Sighing, pining,
Weeping, whining,
Beneath a Willow-Tree.

Prim.
I pity much your Suff'rings;
O then be rul'd by me,
And put an end to all your Woes
Beneath a Willow-Tree.
Dingle dangle,
Dingle dangle,
Beneath a Willow-Tree.

[Exit Glitter.

SCENE the last.

Graspall.
Well, since I must, I must, howe'er I'm loth;
Rise up, my Children, Heaven bless you both.

Leander.
Thanks, gen'rous Friend, how much I owe your Care,
My future Actions shall at large declare.

AIR.
Leander.
My Idol, my Treasure,
The Source of all Pleasure,
Words ne'er can my Raptures discover;

Clar.
I love you, believe me,
Then not to deceive me,
Profess not too much my young Lover.

R. Hood.
See how along the East the purple Morn
Drives the young Hours, and dims pale Cynthia's Horn;
To-day you both a Forest-Chear must prove,
At Night we'll leave you to the Sweets of Love.
AIR.

CHORUS.
Dance, and sing, and sport, and play,
'Tis Clarinda's Wedding-Day.