Oh, but if I could only find a crust
Left by the dogs. Masters, the child will starve.
We must have food.

THE BLIND MAN

I tell you when my boy
Comes back, we shall have plenty!

FIRST WOMAN

God pity thee!

THE BLIND MAN

What dost thou mean?

SECOND WOMAN

Masters, the child will starve.

FIRST OLD MAN

Hist, who comes here--a forester?

THE BLIND MAN

We'd best
Slip back into the dark.

FIRST WOMAN

[_Excitedly._]

No, stay! All's well.
There's Shadow-of-a-Leaf, good Lady Marian's fool
Beside him!

THE BLIND MAN

Ah, they say there's fairy blood
In Shadow-of-a-Leaf. But I've no hopes of more
From him, than wild bees' honey-bags.

[_Enter LITTLE JOHN, a giant figure, leading a donkey, laden
with a sack. On the other side, SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF
trips, a slender figure in green trunk-hose and doublet.
He is tickling the donkey's ears with a long fern._]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Gee! Whoa!
Neddy, my boy, have you forgot the Weaver,
And how Titania tickled your long ears?
Ha! ha! Don't ferns remind you?

LITTLE JOHN

Friends, my master
Hath sent me to you, fearing ye might hunger.

FIRST OLD MAN

Thy master?

LITTLE JOHN

Robin Hood.

SECOND WOMAN

[_Falling on her knees._]

God bless his name.
God bless the kindly name of Robin Hood.

LITTLE JOHN

[_Giving them food._]

'Tis well nigh all that's left him; and to-night
He goes to his betrothal feast.

[_All the outcasts except the first old man exeunt._]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[_Pointing to the donkey._]

Now look,
There's nothing but that shadow of a cross
On his grey back to tell you of the palms
That once were strewn before my Lord, the King.
Won't ferns, won't branching ferns, do just as well?
There's only a dream to ride my donkey now!
But, Neddy, I'll lead you home and cry--HOSANNA!
We'll thread the glad Gate Beautiful again,
Though now there's only a Fool to hold your bridle
And only mo