Excerpt from Act V,
Scene V. The outlaw’s camp.
Marian
enters and runs joyfully to the King.
MAR. O Fie upon these joy-born tears that
cloud
My
sight of thee!
KING. Sweet daughter Marian,
How
blest am I in thee—and doubly, as
Have
I a blessing to bestow on thee.
MAR. What more, my liege?
KING. A pledge of Husbandry;[1]
A
plan to man my realm abundantly:
We
have arranged a marriage for thee!
MAR. With whom, your Majesty?
KING. Why, no one less
Than
Robert Turneham, earl of Huntington.
MAR. This is a day of unforeseen events,
Indeed:
Where’er your Majesty commands
My
hand, then thither shall it go: But, sire,
I
needs must warn thee of this willful heart—
’Tis
fancy-form’d and bides no reasoning,
But
only plies its penchant on True love.
Whoever
wins my hand hath not my Heart,
For
it belongs to none but Robin Hood:
And
if I were to let loose wisdom’s reins
And
follow helpless its unbridled chase,
I
would forsake the trappings of my place,
Forego
all comfort, wealth, and lofty state,
To
ever live this worthy yeoman’s mate.
KING. I fear you must endure your wealth and
rank,
For
this betrothal stands: But, Marian,
Do
not despair you’ll make a heartless bride;
For,
mark me, he that won thy hand, good maid,
Hath
also won a hearty vow of love
The
like of which All lovers envy of:
For
here, before you, stands that valiant knight,
Who
claims his noble father’s place, by right.
MAR. How? Wherefore wert thou Robin Hood?
ROB.
It is
A
name—while blessed—yet as common[2]
as
The
clover, and as easily obtained.
I
wore it as a hood by which I could
Pretend
simplicity,[3]
whilst noble-born:
And
yet, methinks, it is as fair a name
As
England owns to build a life upon.
MAR. If I be dreaming, Joy, Forbid the
dawn![4]
[Robin and Marian kiss.]
KING. There’s time for kisses:[5]
[They’re
still kissing.]
We’ll
wed thee anon![6]
[They
finally break their liplock, to much laughter all around.]
[1]
tillage, cultivation
[2]
The name Robert or Robin Hood (sometimes spelled Hode, Hud or Hoode) was a very
common English name.
[3]
a simple or common (low born) condition
[4]
If this is a dream, then I hope my happiness keeps me from ever waking up.
[5]
You two will have plenty of time to kiss in the future.
[6]
I guess I’d better get you two married right away!