Richard, you say, is dead,
And yet, O King, I say that the great King
Lives!

[_He strikes JOHN across the face. JOHN cowers and staggers back.
The MASKERS draw their swords, the women
scream and rush together. ROBIN turns, sword in hand,
to confront the MASKERS._]

Back, fools; for I say that the great King
Lives. Do not doubt it. Ye have dreamed him dead
How often. Hark, God in heaven, ye know that voice.

[_A voice is heard drawing nearer thro' the distant darkness of the
garden, singing. All listen. JOHN'S face whitens._]

[_Song._]

Knight, on the narrow way,
Where wouldst thou ride?
"Onward," I heard him say,
"Love, to thy side."

ROBIN

'Tis Blondel! Still vaunt-courier to the King,
As when he burst the bonds of Austria! Listen!

[_Song nearer._]

"Nay," sang a bird above,
"Stay, for I see
Death, in the mask of love,
Waiting for thee."

MASKERS

[_Resuming their masks and muttering to one another._]

Can the King live? Is this John's treachery? Look,
He is crushed with fear!

ROBIN
Listen! I'll go to meet him.

[_Exit into the garden._]

MASKERS

It was the song of Blondel! The same song
He made with Richard, long since!--
Blondel's voice!
Just as we heard it on that summer's night
When Lion-Heart came home from the Crusade.

[_The Song still drawing nearer._]

"Death! What is Death?" he cried.
"I must ride on,
On to my true love's side,
Up to her throne!"

[_Enter BLONDEL, from the garden. He stands, startled by the
scene before him._]

MASKERS

Blondel! Where is the King? Where is the King?

BLONDEL

Did ye not know?--Richard, the King, is dead!

MASKERS

Dead!

JOHN

Dead! And ye let the living dog escape
That dared snarl at our sovereignty. I know him,
Risen from the dead or not. I know 'twas he,
'Twas Robin Hood! After him; hunt him down!
Let him not live to greet another sun.
After him!

MASKERS

[_Drawing their swords and plunging into the darkness._]

After him; hunt the villain down!

[_Curtain._]

ACT V

SCENE I. _Morning. Sherwood Forest (as before). LITTLE JOHN and some of
the OUTLAWS