y and quickly.

ROBIN

Let me have
One word with Marian.

LITTLE JOHN

It would be the last
On earth. Come, if you ever wish to see
Her face again.

FITZWALTER

Come, Robin, are you mad?
You'll bring us all to ruin!

[_He opens a little door in the wall._]

The secret passage,
This brings you out by Much the Miller's wheel,
Thro' an otter's burrow in the river bank.
Come, quick, or you'll destroy us! Take this lanthorn.
If you're in danger, slip into the stream
And let it carry you down into the heart
Of Sherwood. Come now, quickly, you must go!

ROBIN

The old cave, lads, in Sherwood, you know where
To find me. Friar Tuck, bring Widow Scarlet
Thither to-morrow, with a word or two
From Lady Marian!

FITZWALTER

Quickly, quickly, go.

[_He pushes ROBIN and LITTLE JOHN into the opening and shuts
the door. A pause._]

Oh, I shall pay for this, this cursed folly!
Henceforth I swear I wash my hands of him!

[_Enter MARIAN, from a door on the right above the banqueting
hall. She pauses, pale and frightened, on the broad
steps leading down._]

MARIAN

Father, where's Robin?

FITZWALTER

Child, I bade you stay
Until I called you.

MARIAN

Something frightened me!
Father, where's Robin? Where's Robin?

FITZWALTER

Hush, Marian, hark!

[_All stand listening._]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[_Stealing to the foot of the stairs and whispering to LADY MARIAN._]

Lady, they're all so silent now. I'll tell you
I had a dream last night--there was a man
That bled to death, because of four grey walls
And a black-hooded nun.

FITZWALTER

[_Angrily._]

Hist, Shadow-of-a-Leaf!

[_The third bugle sounds. There is a clamour at the doors.
Enter PRINCE JOHN and his retainers._]

JOHN

[_Mockingly._]

Now this is fortunate! I come in time
To see--Oh, what a picture! Lady Marian,
Forgive me--coming suddenly out of the dark
And seeing you there, robed in that dazzling white
Above these verdant gentlemen, I feel
Like one that greets the graci