ide their cloaks with one great shout
Of 'Sherwood'; and, for all its crimson panes,
The church was one wild sea of Lincoln green!
The Forest had broken in, sire, and the bride
Like a wild rose tossing on those green boughs,
Was borne away and wedded here by Tuck
To her true lover; and so--his harp is ours.

ALLAN-A-DALE

No feasting song, sire, but the royal theme
Of chivalry--a song I made last night
In yonder ruined chapel. It is called
_The Old Knight's Vigil_.

RICHARD

Our hearts will keep it young!

[_ALLAN-A-DALE sings, SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF raises his head among the
ferns._]

[_Song._]

I

Once, in this chapel, Lord
Young and undaunted,
Over my virgin sword
Lightly I chaunted,--
"Dawn ends my watch. I go
Shining to meet the foe!"

II

"Swift with thy dawn," I said,
"Set the lists ringing!
Soon shall thy foe be sped,
And the world singing!
Bless my bright plume for me,
Christ, King of Chivalry.

[_SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF rises to his knees amongst the ferns._]

III

"War-worn I kneel to-night,
Lord, by Thine altar!
Oh, in to-morrow's fight,
Let me not falter!
Bless my dark arms for me,
Christ, King of Chivalry.

IV

"Keep Thou my broken sword
All the long night through
While I keep watch and ward!
Then--the red fight through,
Bless the wrenched haft for me,
Christ, King of Chivalry.

V

"Keep, in thy pierced hands,
Still the bruised helmet:
Let not their hostile bands
Wholly o'erwhelm it!
Bless my poor shield for me,
Christ, King of Chivalry.

VI

"Keep Thou the sullied mail,
Lord, that I tender
Here, at Thine altar-rail!
Then--let Thy splendour
Touch it once ... and I go
Stainless to meet the foe."

[_SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF rises to his feet and takes a step towards the
minstrel._]

[_Curtain._]

ACT IV

SCENE I. _Garden of the King's Palace. Enter JOHN and ELINOR._

ELINOR

You will be king the sooner! Not a month
In England, and my good son Lion-Heart
Must wander over-seas again. These two,
Huntingdon and his bride, must bless the star
Of errant knighthood.

JOHN

He stayed just long enough
To let them pass one f