there is an order, which if I do not keep, I shall be turned out of mine office. SHOE. What is that, sir? JEN. Whensoever I go to fight with any body, I use to flourish my staff thrice about my head before I strike, and then shew no favour. SHOE. Well, sir, and till then I will not strike thee. JEN. Well, sir, here is once, twice-here is my hand, I will never do it the third time. SHOE. Why then, I see, we shall not fight. JEN. Faith, no: come, I will give thee two pots of the best ale, and be friends. SHOE. Faith, I see, it is as hard to get water out of a flint, as to get him to have a bout with me: therefore I will enter into him for some good cheer. My friend, I see thou art a faint-hearted fellow, thou hast no stomach to fight, therefore let us go to the ale-house and drink. JEN. Well, content; go thy ways and say thy prayers, thou 'scapest my hands to-day. [Exeunt. Enter GEORGE-A-GREENE and BETTRIS. GEO. Tell me, sweet love, how is thy mind content, What, canst thou brook to live with George-a-Greene? BET. O, George, how little pleasing are these words? Came I from Bradford for the love of thee? And left my father for so sweet a friend? Enter ROBIN HOOD, and MARIAN, and his train. GEO. Happy am I to have so sweet a love. But what are these come tracing here along? BET. Three men come striking through the corn, my love. GEO. Back again, you foolish travellers, For you are wrong, and may not wend this way. ROB. That were great shame. Now by my soul, proud sir, We be three tall* yeomen, and thou art but one. GEO. Leap the ditch, or I will make you skip. ROB. Why, art thou mad? dar'st thou encounter three? We are no babes, man, look upon our limbs. The biggest limbs have not the stoutest hearts. men, I'll drive you back the same way that ye came. As thou art haughty in words, Thou well might'st be a champion for a king: [They fight, and George-a-Greene beats him. MUCH. How now? what, art thou down? Come, sir, I am next. [They fight, and George-a-Greene beats him. ROB. Come, sirrah, now to me: spare me not, For I'll not spare thee. * tall] See note* vol. i. p. 118. GEO. Make no doubt, I will be as liberal to thee. [They fight; Robin Hood stays. ROB. Stay, George, for here I do protest, Thou art the stoutest champion that ever I Laid hands upon. GEO. Soft, you sir, by your leave, you lie, You never yet laid hands on me. ROB. George, wilt thou forsake Wakefield, Two liveries will I give thee every year, ROB. Why, Robin Hood: I am come hither with my Marian, GEO. Robin Hood! Next to king Edward art thou lieft to me. Welcome, sweet Robin; welcome, maid Marian; And welcome, you my friends. Will you to my poor house? You shall have wafer cakes your fill, A piece of beef hung up since Martlemas,‡ Take that you find, or that you bring for me. ROB. Godamercies, good George, I'll be thy guest to day. GEO. Robin, therein thou honourest me. I'll lead the way. [Exeunt omnes. Enter KING EDWARD and KING JAMES disguised, with two staves. K. EDW. Come on, king James, now we are thus disguis'd, * George, wilt thou, &c.] See the Ballad at the end of this play. + lief] i. e. dear. Martlemas] See note * There is none, I know, will take us to be kings: Enter a SHOEMAKER. SHOE. Down with your staves, my friends, Down with them. K. Edw. Down with our staves! I pray thee, why so? SHOE. My friend, I see thou art a stranger here, Else would'st thou not have question'd of the thing. This is the town of merry Bradford, And here hath been a custom kept of old, K. EDW. But hear you, sir, hath the king SHOE. King or kaisar, none shall pass this way, Except king Edward; No, not the stoutest groom that haunts his court: Therefore down with your staves. K. EDW. What were we best to do? K. JAMES. Faith, my lord, they are stout fellows; And, because we will see some sport, We will trail our staves. K. EDW. Hear'st thou, my friend? Because we are men of peace and travellers, We are content to trail our staves. SHOE. The way lies before you, go along. Enter ROBIN HOOD and GEORGE-A-GREENE, disguised. ROB. See, George, two men are passing through the town, Two lusty men, and yet they trail their staves. GEO. Robin, They are some peasants trickt in yeoman's weeds. Hollo, you two travellers! K. EDW. Call you us, sir? GEO. Ay, you. Are ye not big enough to bear Your bats upon your necks, but you must trail them Along the streets? K. EDW. Yes, sir, we are big enough; But here is a custom kept, his neck, That none may pass, staff. K. EDW. Do you hear, my wise, keep down Your staves, for all the town will rise upon you. Enter several Shoemakers. † be GEO. Thou speakest like an honest quiet fellow. But hear you me; in spite of all the swains Of Bradford town, bear me your staves upon your necks, Or, to begin withal, I'll baste you both so well, You were never better basted in your lives. K. Edw. We will hold up our staves. [George-a-Greene fights with the shoemakers, and beats them all down. *drub] The 4to. "shrub." + Enter several Shoemakers] Not in the 4to. |