The Sheriff's angered now!

SECOND RUSTIC

Ay, for they say a messenger has come
From that same godless hangman whose lean neck
I'd like to twist, saying he is delayed.
'Tis the first godly deed he has ever done.

THIRD RUSTIC

The Sheriff says he will not be delayed.
But who will take the hangman's office?

ROBIN

Masters,
I have a thought; make way; let me bespeak
The Sheriff!

RUSTICS

How now, father, what's to do?

ROBIN

Make way, I tell you. Here's the man they want!

SHERIFF

What's this?

ROBIN

Good master Sheriff, I've a grudge
Against Will Scarlet. Let me have the task
Of sending him to heaven!

CROWD

Ah-h-h, the old devil!

SHERIFF

Come on, then, and be brief!

ROBIN

I'm not a hangman;
But I can cleave your thinnest hazel wand
At sixty yards.

SHERIFF

Shoot, then, and make an end.
Make way there, clear the way!

[_An opening is made in the crowd. ROBIN stands in the gap,
WILL SCARLET is not seen by the audience._]

CROWD

Ah-h-h, the old devil!

ROBIN

I'll shoot him one on either side, just graze him,
To show you how I love him; then the third
Slick in his heart.

[_He shoots. A murmur goes up from the crowd. The crowd
hides WILL SCARLET during the shooting. But ROBIN
remains in full view, in the opening._]

SHERIFF

[_Angrily._]

Take care! You've cut the cord
That bound him on that side!

ROBIN

Then here's the second!
I will be careful!

[_He takes a steady aim._]

A RUSTIC TO HIS NEIGHBOURS

I' faith, lads, he can shoot!
What do you think--that green patch on his eye
Smacks of the merry men! He's tricking them!

[_ROBIN shoots. A louder murmur goes up from the crowd._]

SHERIFF

You have cut the rope again!

A CRY

He has cut him free!

ROBIN

All right! All right! It's just to tease the dog!
Here's for the third now!

[_He aims and shoots quickly. There is a loud cry of a wounded