To send him groping like a hoodman blind
Through Sherwood, whimpering for his Robin. Come,
I'll ride with you to this betrothal feast.
Now for my Lady Marian!

[_Exeunt all. A pause. The scene darkens. Shadowy figures creep
out from the thickets, of old men, women and children._]

FIRST OLD MAN

[_Stretching his arms up to Heaven._]

God, am I
My brother's keeper? Witness, God in heaven,
He said it and not we--Cain's word, he said it!

FIRST WOMAN

[_Kneeling by the body._]

O Father, Father, and the blood of Abel
Cries to thee!

A BLIND MAN

Is there any light here still?
I feel a hot breath on my face. The dark
Is better for us all. I am sometimes glad
They blinded me those many years ago.
Princes are princes; and God made the world
For one or two it seems. Well, I am glad
I cannot see His world.

FIRST WOMAN

[_Still by the body and whispering to the others._]

Keep him away.
'Tis as we thought. The dead man is his son.
Keep him away, poor soul. He need not know.

[_Some of the men carry the body among the thickets._]

A CHILD

Mother, I'm hungry, I'm hungry!

FIRST OLD MAN

There's no food
For any of us to-night. The snares are empty,
And I can try no more.

THE BLIND MAN

Wait till my son
Comes back. He's a rare hunter is my boy.
You need not fret, poor little one. My son
Is much too quick and clever for the Sheriff.
He'll bring you something good. Why, ha! ha! ha!
Friends, I've a thought--the Sheriff's lit the fire
Ready for us to roast our meat. Come, come,
Let us be merry while we may! My boy
Will soon come back with food for the old folks.
The fire burns brightly, eh?

SECOND OLD MAN

The fire that feeds
On hope and eats our hearts away. They've burnt
Everything, everything!

THE BLIND MAN

Ah, princes are princes!
But when the King comes home from the Crusade,
We shall have better times.

FIRST OLD MAN

Ay, when the King
Comes home from the Crusade.

CHILD

Mother, I'm hungry.

SECOND WOMAN