Ferdinand,
That to the Indies, at Sebastian's suit,
Hath lately sent a Spanish colony.

SKEL. Then 'twill trouble you,
After your great affairs, to take the pain
That I intended to entreat you to,
About rehearsal of our[158] promis'd play.

ELT. Nay, Master Skelton; for the King himself,
As we were parting, bid me take great heed
We fail not of our day: therefore, I pray,
Send for the rest, that now we may rehearse.

SKEL. O, they are ready all, and dress'd to play.
What part play you?

ELT. Why, I play Little John,
And came on purpose with this green suit.

SKEL. Holla, my masters! Little John is come.

[_At every door all the players run out, some crying
"Where? where?" others, "Welcome, Sir John:" among
others the boys and Clown_.

SKEL. Faith, little Tracy, you are somewhat forward:
What, our Maid Marian leaping like a lad?
If you remember, Robin is your love--
Sir Thomas Mantle yonder--not Sir John.

CLOWN. But, master, Sir John is my fellow, for I am
Much the miller's son, am I not?

SKEL. I know ye are, sir;
And, gentlemen, since you are thus prepar'd,
Go in, and bring your dumb-scene on the stage;
And I, as prologue, purpose to express
The ground whereon our history is laid.

[_Exeunt. Manent_ SKELTON _and_ SIR JOHN.

_Trumpets sound. Enter first_ KING RICHARD, _with drum
and ancient, giving_ ELY _a purse and sceptre; his mother,
and brother_ JOHN, CHESTER, LEICESTER, LACY, _others at
the_ KING'S _appointment doing reverence. The_ KING _goes
in: presently_ ELY _ascends the chair_: CHESTER, JOHN, _and
the_ QUEEN _part displeasantly. Enter_ EGBERT EARL OF
HUNTINGTON, _leading_ MARIAN: _follows him_ WARMAN, _and
after_ WARMAN _the_ PRIOR; WARMAN _ever flattering and making
courtesy, taking gifts of the_ PRIOR _behind and his master
before_. PRINCE JOHN _Enters, offereth to take_ MARIAN. QUEEN
ELINOR _enters, offering to pull_ ROBIN _from her; but they
enfold each other, and sit down within the curtains_. WARMAN
_with the_ PRIOR, SIR HUGH LACY, LORD SENTLOE, _and_ SIR GILBERT
BROUGHTON _fold hands, and drawing the curtains, all (but the_
PRIOR) _enter, and are kindly received by_ ROBIN HOOD.
_The curtains are again shut_.

SKEL. Sir John, once more, bid your dumb shows come in,
That, as they pass, I may explain them all.

_Enter_ KING RICHARD, _&c_.[159]

Richard, call'd Coeur de Lion, takes his leave,
Lik