 | Robin Hood |  |
3
ACT I.
SCENE I.
The Forest of Sherwood.Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John, discover'd shooting in the Forest.
Robin Hood.
AIR.
As blithe as the Linnet sings in the green Wood,
So blithe we'll wake the Morn;
And thro' the wide Forest of merry Sherwood
We'll wind the Bugle Horn.
So blithe we'll wake the Morn;
And thro' the wide Forest of merry Sherwood
We'll wind the Bugle Horn.
The Sheriff attempts to take bold Robin Hood,
Bold Robin disdains to fly:
Come on when he will, in merry Sherwood
We'll vanquish, Boys, or die.
Bold Robin disdains to fly:
Come on when he will, in merry Sherwood
We'll vanquish, Boys, or die.
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Our Arrows shall drink of the fallow Deer's Blood,
We'll hunt them all over the Plain;
And thro' the fair Forest of merry Sherwood,
No Shaft shall fly in vain.
We'll hunt them all over the Plain;
And thro' the fair Forest of merry Sherwood,
No Shaft shall fly in vain.
Brave Scarlet and John, who were never subdu'd,
Give each his Hand so to bold;
We'll reign through the Forest of merry Sherwood:
What say my Hearts of Gold?
Give each his Hand so to bold;
We'll reign through the Forest of merry Sherwood:
What say my Hearts of Gold?
John.
My noble Master, we your Words obey,
And just as you command, will fight or play.
Scarlet.
Bold Robin Hood, permit me to demand,
What Boy was that who on your fallow Land
With you was talking? deep he seem'd in Woe,
Nor wore he Forest Green, nor held a Bow.
R. Hood.
He loves Clarinda, and the beauteous Maid
Has with her Heart his honest Suit repaid:
She pines in vain, for, lost to gen'rous Views,
Her cruel Father does her Choice refuse:
But to relieve the Youth I'll risk my Blood,
Merit was ne'er o'erlook'd by Robin Hood—
But see how heavily Leander looks—
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SCENE II.
Enter Leander.Leander.
AIR.
To the Pines on the Mountains
I murmur her Name;
To the Grottos and Fountains
I witness my Flame:
Clarinda I sigh,
Clarinda I cry,
The Echoes, to mock me, Clarinda reply.
R. Hood.
Take courage, Youth, I've sworn to be your Friend,
And will, tho' Death oppose, your Cause defend.
Disguis'd, this Day to Nottingham I'll go,
There Graspall seek, no more you yet must know.
Farewel, I haste to do the generous Deed,
And Fortune whispers that I shall succeed.
First AIR repeated.
Assisted by Love, and by bold Robin Hood,
Take heart, and ne'er despair,
For Robin will soon to the merry Sherwood
Bring home your lovely Fair—
Take heart, and ne'er despair,
For Robin will soon to the merry Sherwood
Bring home your lovely Fair—
[Exeunt.
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SCENE III.
A Chamber in Graspall's House.Enter Graspall, Clarinda, and Primrose.
Graspall.
I tell you, Child, you must young Glitter wed,
He's rich and worthy to ascend your Bed.
AIR.
Consider, dear Daughter, what 'tis to be rich,
Nor spurn thus unwise at the Blessing;
The Views of being wealthy most Women bewitch,
Such Husbands are sure worth possessing.
You tell me he's silly, I say he has Pence;
His Acres are boundless, his Treasures immense;
A Coach and six Horses is Beauty and Sense;
Then, pr'ythee, no longer refuse him.
Nor spurn thus unwise at the Blessing;
The Views of being wealthy most Women bewitch,
Such Husbands are sure worth possessing.
You tell me he's silly, I say he has Pence;
His Acres are boundless, his Treasures immense;
A Coach and six Horses is Beauty and Sense;
Then, pr'ythee, no longer refuse him.
Clarinda.
Alas! what adverse Stars my Fortune rule!
Primrose.
What! will you wed your Daughter to a Fool?
Graspall.
A Fool! pert Minx! suppose him one, what then?
Are there not others so 'mongst marry'd Men?
But see the Youth: Cheer up that frowning Face,
As at the Toilette regulate each Grace.
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SCENE IV.
Enter Glitter.Glitter.
O Nymph! far brighter than the noon-day Sun;
O Nymph! more fair than Rills that dimpling run;
Match'd with those Eyes, how white appears the Sloe
To that soft Skin, how black descending Snow!
AIR.
Op'ning Bud of matchless Beauty,
Blossom of the Month of May;
Adoration is my Duty,
At thy Shrine my Vows I pay.
Blossom of the Month of May;
Adoration is my Duty,
At thy Shrine my Vows I pay.
Coursing o'er each rival Feature,
Little wanton Cupids sport;
Venus, to so bright a Creature,
Would un-envying pay her Court.
Little wanton Cupids sport;
Venus, to so bright a Creature,
Would un-envying pay her Court.
Graspall.
A pretty Youth! and, take the Country round,
I think so good a Party can't be found.
Glitter.
We English are too like our native Main,
Boist'rous and loud, unsettled, fierce, and vain:
But I have polish'd each rough Part away,
And shine alike, all brillant and all gay:
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Paris and Rome have taught me what I know.
Primrose
aside.
Of all the Wretches Fate could hither bring,
Your travell'd Coxcomb is the vilest thing.
Glitter.
I'll sing a Song I on Clarinda made;
The Thought is pretty, that must needs be said.
AIR.
My Heart's like an Anvil, the Hammer is Love,
And 'gainst my poor Breast it so knocks—
The Blows are so hard, that I'm sure I cou'd prove,
Less Force wou'd demolish an Ox.
The Godlin on me has exhausted his Quiver,
I feel the sharp Arrow pierce thorough my Liver:
None but you, pretty Maid, such a Conquest e'er boasted;
Take pity, or else I must die over-rosted.
And 'gainst my poor Breast it so knocks—
The Blows are so hard, that I'm sure I cou'd prove,
Less Force wou'd demolish an Ox.
The Godlin on me has exhausted his Quiver,
I feel the sharp Arrow pierce thorough my Liver:
None but you, pretty Maid, such a Conquest e'er boasted;
Take pity, or else I must die over-rosted.
Primrose.
Ah, would my Person could your Soul subdue,
I'm surely form'd to suit a Youth like you.
AIR.
Whene'er you talk, methinks I hear
The sweet-tongu'd Parrot sputter:
You move with all that Grace and Air,
That Crows do in a Gutter.
The Maid that views that lovely Face,
Resigns her Heart soon after;
And at your Wit and charming Mien
Expires in Fits of Laughter.
The sweet-tongu'd Parrot sputter:
You move with all that Grace and Air,
That Crows do in a Gutter.
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Resigns her Heart soon after;
And at your Wit and charming Mien
Expires in Fits of Laughter.
Graspall.
Primrose, that Tongue of thine will be thy bane;
Or hold thy Peace, or else behold this Cane.
Primrose.
I've done, I've done.
Glitter.
I take my leave a while, ah Nymph divine!
When torn from thee, bright Sun forget to shine.
[Exit.
SCENE V.
Graspall.Now Daughter, tell me, do you like the Squire?
Speak from your Heart, I the plain Truth require.
Clarinda.
To speak plain Truth, without the least Disguise;
Of all the Wretches, him I most despise.
Graspall.
Well, I agree you ne'er shall Glitter wed;
But let me name the Partner of your Bed.
A certain wealthy Knight from London came,
For even London hears your Beauty's Fame:
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Leander is no Husband, Child, for me.
Servant,
within.
Sir Humphrey Wealthy waits, Sir, at your Gate.
Graspall.
The very Man: Admit Sir Humphrey straight.
Here, here's the Man shall make you truly bless'd.
SCENE VI.
Enter Robin Hood, disguis'd.Graspall.
With Raptures, Sir, I hail so great a Guest.
R. Hood.
Your Raptures, Sir, are well receiv'd; but here
Permit me this fair Goddess to revere.
Say, beauteous Nymph! will you my Suff'rings ease?
Or must I yield to Death by slow degrees?
Graspall.
Now, dear Clarinda, chear your Father's Heart,
Give him your full Consent, and then depart.
Clarinda.
No, Sir, my Heart's no longer mine to give,
With none but dear Leander will I live.
11
The Ship is thus by Tempests toss'd
Upon the raging Main;
And now the Pilot thinks he's lost,
And now he hopes again:
Thus my divided Bosom fares,
By turns exults, by turns despairs.
Upon the raging Main;
And now the Pilot thinks he's lost,
And now he hopes again:
Thus my divided Bosom fares,
By turns exults, by turns despairs.
[Exit.
SCENE VII.
Robin Hood,aside.
Brave Girl! I long to change this vile Disguise,
And bring her raptur'd Lover to her Eyes.
Primrose.
My Mistress gone, she order'd me to say,
She thinks your Locks, good Sir, are much too gray;
And she believes, if you some Weeks should tarry,
You'll very likely die before you marry.
AIR.
Dear Sir, be advis'd by a Friend,
Nor take a young Wife to your Bed;
If still you persist in your Choice,
Sir Knight, have a care of your Head.
Nor take a young Wife to your Bed;
If still you persist in your Choice,
Sir Knight, have a care of your Head.
Brisk Youth may at all times attempt,
Tho' oft they repent being wed;
Their Hearts but too often do ake,
With you, 'twill be Pain in your Head.
Tho' oft they repent being wed;
Their Hearts but too often do ake,
With you, 'twill be Pain in your Head.
12
A Knight shou'd be arm'd cap-a-pee,
In Battles to strike us with Dread:
Go seek for your Spear and your Shield,
Your Wife will take care of your Head.
In Battles to strike us with Dread:
Go seek for your Spear and your Shield,
Your Wife will take care of your Head.
Then ne'er be dismay'd in the Field,
Tho' Numbers around you fall dead,
And Bullets shou'd fly thick as Hail,
There's nothing can damage your Head.
Tho' Numbers around you fall dead,
And Bullets shou'd fly thick as Hail,
There's nothing can damage your Head.
[Exit.
SCENE VIII.
Robin Hood.Good Father Graspall, to confess the Truth,
Age vainly hopes to win a Smile from Youth:
What gentle Terms can't gain, our Cunning may,
Grant your Consent, I'll bear the Maid away:
You'll too go with us, ere to-morrow Night
We'll force a Marriage in her own despight.
Graspall.
With all my heart, and I'll the Means prepare,
We'll find a way to tame you Lady fair.
[Exit.
SCENE IX.
Robin Hood.And I'll a Letter to Clarinda send,
Shall make her see how much I stand her Friend.
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How pleasing the Thought, to deliver the Fair
From the Chains of harsh Bondage, and rigid Despair!
To lighten her Sorrows, and dry up each Tear,
Till the Roses of Beauty again shall appear;
Till the Smile that's half-smother'd reveals her Intent,
And the Blush shall speak for her, her Heart is content.
From the Chains of harsh Bondage, and rigid Despair!
To lighten her Sorrows, and dry up each Tear,
Till the Roses of Beauty again shall appear;
Till the Smile that's half-smother'd reveals her Intent,
And the Blush shall speak for her, her Heart is content.
[Exit.
| Robin Hood | |