ady Marian?

ARTHUR

Yes, I saw her
Treading a measure with my Uncle John!

ROBIN

Stand where you are and watch; and, if you see her,
Beckon her. Then I'll tell you how the King
Came home from the Crusade.

ARTHUR

First, let me tell you
Just how I think it was. It must have been
Like a great picture. All your outlaws there
Sitting around your throne of turf, and you
Judging the rich and poor. That's how it was
Last night, I dreamed of it; and you were taking
The baron's gold and giving it to the halt
And blind; and then there was a great big light
Between the trees, as if a star had come
Down to the earth and caught among the boughs,
With beams like big soft swords amongst the ferns
And leaves, and through the light a mighty steed
Stepped, and the King came home from the Crusade.
Was it like that? Was there a shining light?

ROBIN

I think there must have been, a blinding light,

ARTHUR

Filling an arch of leaves?

ROBIN

Yes!

ARTHUR

That was it!
That's how the King came home from the Crusade.

ROBIN

But there--you've told the story!

ARTHUR

Ah, not all!

ROBIN

No, not quite all. What's that?

[_The music suddenly stops. The maskers crowd together whispering
excitedly._]

ARTHUR

Why have they stopped
The music? Ah, there's Hubert. Shall I ask him?

ROBIN

Yes, quickly, and come back!

[_ARTHUR runs up to a masker. Several go by hurriedly._]

FIRST MASKER

The King is dead!

SECOND MASKER

Where did it happen? France?

FIRST MASKER

I know not, sir!

[_ARTHUR returns._]

ARTHUR

Robin, they say the King is dead! So John
Is king now, is he not?

ROBIN

Ay, John is king!
Now, tell me quickly, use your eyes, my boy,
Where's Lady Marian?

ARTHUR

Ah, there she is at last,
Alone!

ROBIN

Go to her quickly, and bring her hither.

[_ARTHUR runs off and returns with_ MARIAN.]

MARIAN

Robin, thank God, you have