him again._]

Now, throw your weapon down.

[_He pulls out the dagger and throws it down, with a shrug of his
shoulders. One of his men steals up behind MARIAN._]

JENNY

Ah, Mistress Marian,
There's one behind you! Look!

[_The man springs forward and seizes MARIAN'S arms._]

JOHN

[_Coming forward and taking hold of her also._]

So, my sweet tigress,
You're trapped then, are you? Well, we'll waste no time!
We'll talk this over when we reach the castle.
Keep off the maid, there, Warman; I can manage
This turbulent beauty. Ah, by God, you shall
Come! Ah? God's blood, what's this?

[_MARIAN has succeeded in drawing her dagger and slightly wounding
him. She wrests herself free._]

MARIAN

Keep back, I warn you!

JOHN

[_Advancing slowly._]

Strike, now strike if you will. You will not like
To see the red blood spurting up your hand.
That's not maid's work. Come, strike!

[_ROBIN HOOD appears at the edge of the glade behind him_]

You see, you cannot!
Your heart is tenderer than you think.

ROBIN

[_Quietly._]

Prince John!

JOHN

[_Turns round and confronts ROBIN._]

Out with your blade, Warman; call up the rest!
We can strike freely now, without a fear
Of marring the sweet beauty of the spoil.
We four can surely make an end of him.
Have at him, lads, and swiftly, or the thieves
Will all be down on us.

[_ROBIN draws his sword and sets his back to an oak. The other
two followers of PRINCE JOHN come out of the wood._]

ROBIN

Come on, all four!
This oak will shift its roots before I budge
One inch from four such howling wolves. Come on;
You must be tired of fighting women-folk.
Come on! By God, sir, you must guard your head
Better than that,

[_He disarms WARMAN._]

Or you're just food for worms
Already; come, you dogs!

PRINCE JOHN

Work round, you three,
Behind him! Drive him out from that damned oak!

ROBIN

Oh, that's a princely speech! Have at you, sir!

[_He strikes PRINCE JOHN'S sword out of his hand and turns suddenly