 | Florien |  |
Scene III.
—Abraham's tavern, opening upon the river, which is seen at the back. Rob, Abraham, Paul Ferrers, and others, discovered drinking and laughing. Kate in waiting.All.
(with glasses)
Bravo! bravo!
Paul.
The Captain keeps us waiting.
Rob.
Fear him not;
He brings us two recruits. Remember, boys,
We're Magnus's irregulars to-night,
Not Rufus Hardy's band.
Paul.
Ay, ay, we know.
Three cheers for Magnus's irregulars!
Ab.
Come, bustle, Kate.
Kate.
Yes, master.
Paul.
Now, the song!
Give us the song, Rob Morton!
Rob.
As you please!
Bring me a bumper first, my bonnie Kate,
And set it at my hand.
Kate.
You shall be served.
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No better tap in London.
Rob.
Put it down.
And, Kate, if you would make it better still,
Just touch it with your lips before I drink,
And it will smack of nectar, which they say
Was dew which Venus gathered from the rose,
Kissing the flower! Kiss to me, Hebe mine!!
Kate.
Fair minstrel, thus I pledge you! In return,
The song we love!
Rob.
Ay, Kate! sit on my knee.
Kate.
Nay, that would mar the tune. Besides, I know
My place, and keep my distance. When you have sung,
It may be I will keep a kiss for you,
As well as for the cup.
Rob.
I'll book the debt,
And sing my best for it.
Paul.
The song! the song!
Song, Rob Morton.
When Robin Hood in old Sherwood
Kept feast and wassail gaily,
A hollow tree had for cellar he,
And he cleared that cellar daily.
His store was fine of the Rhenish wine,
And the good ale ran like a river,
For the hop and the vine he bade combine,
To stand and to deliver!
Chorus.
Kept feast and wassail gaily,
A hollow tree had for cellar he,
And he cleared that cellar daily.
His store was fine of the Rhenish wine,
And the good ale ran like a river,
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To stand and to deliver!
For the hop and the vine, &c.
Enter Hardy, Ned, Roy and Tim.
Har.
Stand and deliver—arms!
Rob and Paul.
The Captain!
Har.
He:
Alive and merry. Welcome, my young friends!
How dost thou, pretty Kate? I crave my dues
Those rosy lips should pay. You look to-night
A daintier Kate than ever. (kissing her)
Tim.
What a woman!
Might I presume?
Kate.
You do.
(laughing and turning away)
Har.
My lads, give welcome
To two new soldiers who would serve with us,
And add to ours their solemn vow to bring
The miscreant Rufus Hardy to an end
Of all his bloody-minded villainies.
Welcome them, gallant 'prentices!
Rob.
We do!
With a good heart.
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(aside)
I do not know their faces:
What are these men, Tim?
Tim.
Heroes!
Roy.
Are they so?
I do not like them. Bah! I am here to-night
To hunt for other game. (aside)
How ran the words?
“You shall see—whom you shall see—”
Har.
(to Tim)
Sit by me,
My pearl of London 'prentices, and tell me
More of thy doings with the quarter-staff;
While Kate shall fill our trenchers and our cups,
And Master Rob make music for the meal
Out of his lusty pipe. Pipe on, my bird,
Till the glass rattle! Master Button, yours!
(pledging Tim)
Song. Verse 2.
Rob.
Bold Robin Hood in old Sherwood,
Lived freely at free quarters;
He paid no rent for his woodland tent,
Or the lease of the running waters:
He gave as he would, and he took as he could,
Free taker and free giver;
For the world at his whim paid toll to him,
To stand and to deliver!
Lived freely at free quarters;
He paid no rent for his woodland tent,
Or the lease of the running waters:
He gave as he would, and he took as he could,
Free taker and free giver;
For the world at his whim paid toll to him,
To stand and to deliver!
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For the world at his whim, &c.
Har.
(to Tim)
And so you tell me, Master Fuller's store
Has ne'er a parallel?
Tim.
Upon my soul,
I speak the truth, great Captain; and I think,
Should Rufus Hardy's eyes alight on it,
There would be mourning for the city dames,
And the fine ladies too!
Roy.
(aside)
She does not come;
She does not send; what did the letter mean?
Rob.
A cup for Master Mallet! Wilt not drink?
Roy.
I am not ripe for it—but if you will—
Har.
(to Tim)
Well, we shall meet again. I am your man.
The evening marches on her sunset road,
And promises a morrow yet more fair,
Bright with a newer youth. The stirrup-cup,
Before we think of parting. (sound without)
What is this?
Ned.
'Tis music from the river.
Har.
Ha! the strain
Is sent to bid us all a soft good-night,
And tune our slumbers. Hark!
Roy.
How well it fits
The smiling twilight! Music from the river!
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A glass before we part; the stirrup-cup,
Filled to a poet's measure. Glasses, Kate!
Glasses all round! (to Tim)
When youth and valour meet!
Tim.
Captain, you flatter me!
Har.
Not I, my boy;
I honour and applaud. Glasses, I say!
There is a toast which all the nobles drink,
To close the feast withal! the fairest woman
In all the universe!
Tim.
Give me a glass!
Roy.
Give one to me!
Har.
(watching him)
The music marches on:
Hark, how it nears us! Gentlemen, the toast!
And, Rob, the verse to fit it! Drink to her,
The foreign wonder of an unknown birth,
Whom men call Mistress Florien!
Roy.
Florien!
Har.
(aside)
Good.
Rob.
(sings)
Soft glides the gilded bark
Into the purple dark—
Growing—growing—growing!
Dances the stream so fleet,
Kissing my lady's feet,
Flowing—flowing—flowing!
(Towards the close of the song a barge glides on at the back; and as it ends Florien steps out from it,
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Roy.
(aside)
Florien!
Kil.
The night is falling. Florien, home!
There will be high play in your house to-night.
(He is leading off Florien at the back. She looks back at Roy, who kneels to pick up the handkerchief and press it to his lips. Hardy is watching him with a smile on his face; and the others form a group by the table.)
Curtain.
| Florien | |