MUCH. Ay, but while this end is in my hand, and that about his neck, he is bound to it.
WAR. Mock on, mock on: make me your jesting game. I do deserve much more than this small shame.
ROB. H. Disconsolate and poor dejected man, Cast from thy neck that shameful sign of death, And live for me, if thou amend thy life, As much in favour as thou ever didst.
WAR. O, worse than any death, When a man wrong'd his wronger pitieth!
ELY. Warman, be comforted, rise and amend: On my word, Robin Hood will be thy friend.
ROB. H. I will indeed: go in, heart-broken man. Father Fitzwater, pray lead him in. Kind Marian, with sweet comforts comfort him, And my tall yeomen, as you me affect, Upbraid him not with his forepassed life. Warman, go in; go in and comfort thee.
WAR. O, God requite your honour's courtesy.
MAR. Scathlock or Scarlet, help us, some of ye.
[_Exeunt_ WARMAN, MARIAN, FITZWATER, SCATHLOCK, SCARLET, MUCH.
_Enter_ FRIAR TUCK _in his truss, without his weed_.
FRIAR. Jesu benedicite! Pity on pity, Mercy on mercy, Misery on misery! O, such a sight, As by this light, Doth me affright?
ROB. H. Tell us the matter, prythee, holy Friar.
FRIAR. Sir Doncaster the priest and the proud Prior Are stripp'd and wounded in the way to Bawtrey, And if there go not speedy remedy, They'll die, they'll die in this extremity.
ROB. H. Alas! direct us to that wretched place: I love mine uncle, though he hateth me.
FRIAR. My weed I cast to keep them from the cold, And Jenny, gentle girl, tore all her smock The bloody issue of their wounds to stop.
ROB. H. Will you go with us, my good Lord of Ely?
ELY. I will, and ever praise thy perfect charity.
_Enter_ PRINCE JOHN _solus, in green: with bow and arrows_.
JOHN. Why, this is somewhat like: now may I sing, As did the Wakefield Pinder in his note--
_At Michaelmas cometh my covenant out, My master gives me my fee: Then, Robin, I'll wear thy Kendal green, And wend to the greenwood with thee_.[238]
But for a name now: John it must not be, Already Little John on him attends: Greenleaf? Nay, surely there's such a one already: Well, I'll be Woodnet, hap what happen may.
Here comes a green coat (good luck be my guide) Some sudden shift might help me to provide.
SCATH. What, fellow William, did you meet our master?