instinct, since it seems
So much for you and Marian depends
On my return.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Sire, you will pardon me,
For I am only a fool, and yet methinks
You know not half the meaning of those words--
The King, the King comes home from the Crusade!
Thrust up your swords, heft uppermost, my lads,
And shout--the King comes home from the Crusade.

[_He leaps on a seat, and thrusts up the King's sword, heft uppermost,
as if it were a cross._]

ROBIN

Pardon him, sire, poor Shadow-of-a-Leaf has lost
His wits!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

That's what Titania said you'd say,
Poor sweet bells out of tune! But oh, don't leave,
Don't leave the forest! There's darker things to come!
Don't leave the forest! I have wits enough at least
To wrap my legs around my neck for warmth
On winter nights.

RICHARD

Well, you've no need to pass
The winter in these woods--

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Oh, not _that_ winter!

ROBIN

Shadow-of-a-Leaf, be silent!

[_SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF goes aside and throws himself down sobbing
among the ferns._]

RICHARD

When even your cave
Methinks can scarce be cheery. Huntingdon,
Your earldom we restore to you this day!
You and my Lady Marian shall return
To Court with us, where your true bridal troth
Shall be fulfilled with golden marriage bells.
Now, friends, the venison pasty! We must hear
_The Malmsey Butt_ and _Down the Merry Red Lane_,
Ere we set out, at dawn, for London Town.

ROBIN

Allan-a-dale shall touch a golden string
To speed our feast, sire, for he soars above
The gross needs of the Churchman!

RICHARD

Allan-a-Dale?

WILL SCARLET

Our greenwood minstrel, sire! His harp is ours
Because we won his bride for him.

RICHARD

His bride?

REYNOLD GREENLEAF

Was to be wedded, sire, against her will
Last May, to a rich old baron.

RICHARD

Pigeon-pie--
And Malmsey--yes--a rich old baron--tell!

ROBIN

Sire, on the wedding day, my merry men
Crowded the aisles with uninvited guests;
And, as the old man drew forth the golden ring,
They threw as