University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A Coppice in the Labyrinth.
Prince Richard and a Henchman, who trims him a club.
Richard.
Leave the knobs on't: I'll not have one o' them
Smoothed off thus!

Henchman.
But your graciousness—

Richard.
Give't to me!
And the bill-hook too. Now, go you find the dog.

Henchman.
Your grace will promise me not to stray farther
From Woodstock bounds? I shall be whipt and hang'd
If we are caught here in the Labyrinth,
Albeit but o'er the hedge.

Richard.
No, I'll not stir;
There is my knightly word.

Henchman
(going).
He will not break it,
Unruly little lurdane as he is!

[Exit.
Enter Rosamond.
Rosamond.
Who may this stalworth boy, with curls of gold
Clustering adown his shoulders, be?—Thy name?

Richard.
Plantagenet!

Rosamond.
What dost here, royal child?

Richard.
You are a sweet-voiced country lass, and so
I'll answer you. See you not what I do?
Shape me a mall to brain the Saracens.

Rosamond.
But wherefore venture hither, when thou know'st
'Tis strict forbid?

Richard.
Why that's the cause I do't!
What bravery else in't? When my mother Nell
Says, ‘Richard, 'ware that blood-hound!’ Straight I grip him
Fast by the sullen muzzle till he grins,
Then give him a box i' the chaps to make him growl
Like thunder: ha! ha! ha!
Then she so shakes me, and I roar with laughter!
(Turning, and seeing Rosamond).
O!—O!—O!—
You are Fair Rosamond, I'll bet a kingdom!

Rosamond.
How know you that, brave sir?

Richard.
Because—because
You have the sweetest lips—O now I see
What made you speak so sweetly to me here!
You cannot help it!

Rosamond.
You are gallant, young sir!

Richard.
And should not every Chevalier be that?
Tell me—are you a Maid of Honour?

Rosamond.
Alas!—
(Aside.
How every quibble starts me!)—No, my lord.

Richard.
I'm sure you should be!—One so handsome ought
To be most honourable!

Rosamond.
O how I blush
Before this little lecturer!—When youth
Can lesson years, 'tis sin's timidity
Cowed by strong innocence.

Richard.
Perhaps you are not
Old enough for my mother's taste in Maidens?

Rosamond.
I'm old enough, sweet boy, to have a son
Almost thy twin.

Richard.
Nay, you're too slim to have
Such a great boy as me!—Hey, here's a bevy!

Enter Damsels running.
1st Damsel.
O madam! madam! madam! save yourself!
There's such a monster coming after us!

Rosamond.
What is it?

1st Damsel.
We cannot tell! The many faces
It grinned at us, made us hide ours, and flee!

2nd Damsel.
'Tis like a she-baboon, but uglier!

3rd Damsel.
Fangs
Like horns, and fiery eyes, and claws to boot
Like a dwarf ogre!

Richard.
'Tis a Saracen!
Everything grim and odious is a Saracen!

Damsels.
It comes! it comes! jolting along the sward
Its hunch'd deformity on unequal legs,
Mowing and muttering!—Fly! fly!—

[The Damsels fly.
Richard
(setting himself before Rosamond).
Fear you not,
I'll be your Champion!

Rosamond.
Boy, mad boy, come with us!

Richard.
Hold me not, Lady!—See how I'll make this Saracen
One mummy with my mall!

Enter Dwerga, horribly disguised, opposite to her the Henchman.
Henchman
(seeing Dwerga).
The fiend! the fiend!

[Runs away.
Richard
(rushing upon the Dwarf).
Gog!—Magog!—Mahound!—Tyrmagaunt!—

[Dwerga, with doleful screams and yells, is driven off by Richard.
Rosamond.
O true son
Of my own knightliest hero!—Hark his shouts!
Anger, triumphant glee, and glorious laughter,
To mix in combat with a very demon!
Save him, O good St. George! thou patron saint
Of England's chivalry, save this gallant child!
Wretched suspense!—end! end!—O my young Champion!
Re-enter Richard.
Art safe? not wounded? hast thou lost no blood?—

Richard.
No—but I've lost my breath!—What leathern fells
Those Infidels have! There is no piercing them!
Re-enter Damsels and Henchman.
(To the Henchman.)
Was I not right to have the knobs left on?
Runagate!

Henchman.
Sweetest prince, let us away!

Richard.
Go hang!—Come, lady, now my guerdon of you!

Rosamond.
To my young saviour-knight, what can I give?

Richard.
Why, don't you know? do ye not know the rules?
You are to take me home, and feast me there
With spiced wines, confects, and sweetmeats rich,
In a grand lustrous Hall, where you and I
Sit under a fine canopy; and, at last—
No, both at first and last, you are to give me,
With modesty all maiden and demure,
A sweet, sweet kiss—

Rosamond.
My warmest one— (kisses him.)
Where read you
Of all these gallantries?

Richard.
Read?—plague on reading!
One may learn gallantry without book, I hope!

Henchman.
His brain is stuff'd with tales of old Sir Guy,
Rolands, Round Tables, Tournies, and Twelve Peers,
Dragons, and Saracens, which his ear picks up
From Minstrels loose, that haunt the royal halls,
And our romancing sempstresses.

Richard.
Thou liest,
[Striking him.
Base-hearted peasant!—Call them so again,
I'll bang thee like the other unbeliever
Into the slough there, and leave both of ye
To choke i' the mire together! Madam, come!

Rosamond.
O he's the very promise of his father!
Whene'er he speaks to woman, his broad brow,
Which noble ire contracts and knots betimes,
Spreads to a radiant smoothness,—Shall I call you
Herculean Cupid, for thy beauteous strength,
Or, for thy generous courage, Cœur-de-Lion?

Richard.
I know not Cupid. I'll be Cœur-de-Lion!

Rosamond.
Thou shalt then!—Come!—His father's cheek will glow
With pride, to hear of Rosamond's protector.—
Come on, Prince Richard Cœur-de-Lion!

[Exeunt.