nk not of yourself, oh, think
Of Marian--can you leave her clinging arms
Yet, for the cold grave, Robin? I have risked
Much, life itself, to bring you help this day!
I have some skill in wounds.

[_She holds him closer and brings her face near to his own, looking
into his eyes._]

Ah, do you know
How slowly, how insidiously this death
Creeps, coil by tightening coil, around a man,
When he is weak as you are? Do you know
How the last subtle coil slips round your throat
And the flat snake-like head lifts up and peers
With cruel eyes of cold, keen inquisition,
Rivetting your own, until the blunt mouth sucks
Your breath out with one long, slow, poisonous kiss?

ROBIN HOOD

O God, that nightmare! Leave me! Let me go!

ELINOR

You stare at me as if you saw that snake.
Ha! Ha! Your nerves are shaken; you are so weak!
You cannot go! What! Fainting? Ah, rest here
Upon this couch.

[_She half supports, half thrusts him back to a couch, in an alcove
out of sight and draws a curtain. There is a knock at
the door._]

ELINOR

Who's there?

PRIORESS

Madam, I came
To know if I could help in anything.

ELINOR

Nothing! His blood runs languidly. It needs
The pricking of a vein to make the heart
Beat, and the sluggish rivers flow. I have brought
A lance for it. I'll let a little blood.
Not over-much; enough, enough to set
The pulses throbbing.

PRIORESS

Maid Marian came with him.
She waits without and asks--

ELINOR

Let her not come
Near him till all is done. Let her not know
Anything, or the old fever will awake.
I'll lance his arm now!

[_The PRIORESS closes the door. ELINOR goes into the alcove. The
chant from the chapel swells up again. QUEEN
ELINOR comes out of the alcove, white and trembling.
She speaks in a low whisper as she looks back._]

Now, trickle down, sweet blood. Grow white, fond lips
That have kissed Marian--yet, she shall not boast
You kissed her last; for I will have you wake
To the fierce memory of this kiss in heaven
Or burn with it in hell;

[_She kneels down as if to kiss the face of ROBIN, within. The
chant from the chapel swells up more