us all!

[_Exeunt the FORESTERS and FITZWALTER. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
remains alone with MARIAN._]

MARIAN

[_She flings herself down on a couch and buries her head in her arms._]

O Robin, Robin,
I cannot lose you now!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[_Sitting at her feet. The lights grow dim._]

Ah, well, the prince
Promised to break the walls down. Don't you think
These villains are a sort of ploughshare, lady,
And where they plough, who knows what wheat may spring!
The lights are burning low and very low;
So, Lady Marian, let me tell my dream.
There was a forester that bled to death
Because of four grey walls and a black nun
Whose face I could not see--but, oh, beware!
Though I am but your fool, your Shadow-of-a-Leaf,
Dancing before the wild winds of the future,
I feel them thrilling through my tattered wits
Long ere your wisdom feels them. My poor brain
Is like a harp hung in a willow-tree
Swept by the winds of fate. I am but a fool,
But oh, beware of that black-hooded nun.

MARIAN

This is no time for jesting, Shadow-of-a-Leaf.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

The lights are burning low. Do you not feel
A cold breath on your face?

MARIAN

Fling back that shutter!
Look out and tell me what is happening.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[_Flinging back the shutter._]

Look,
Look, gossip, how the moon comes dancing in.
Ah, they have driven Prince John across the drawbridge.
They are raising it, now!

[_There are cries in the distance, then a heavy sound of chains
clanking and silence. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF turns from
the window and stands in the stream of moonlight,
pointing to the door on the left._]

Look! Look!

MARIAN

[_Starting up with a cry of fear._]

Ah!

[_The tall figure of a nun glides into the moonlit hall and throwing
back her hood reveals the face of QUEEN ELINOR._]

ELINOR

Lady Marion,
Tell me quickly, where is Huntingdon hiding?

MARIAN

The Queen!

ELINOR

Yes! Yes! I donned this uncouth garb
To pass through your besiegers. If Prince John
Discover it, all is lost. Co