Collected Poems Volume II Part 50

JENNY

I thought I saw that same face peering thro' the ferns Yonder--there--see, they are shaking still.

[_She screams._]

Ah! Ah!

[_PRINCE JOHN and another man appear advancing across the glade._]

JOHN

So here's my dainty tigress in her den, And--Warman--there's a pretty sc.r.a.p for you Beside her. Now, sweet mistress, will you deign To come with me, to change these cheerless woods For something queenlier? If I be not mistaken, You have had time to tire of that dark cave.

Was I not right, now? Surely you can see Those tresses were not meant to waste their gold Upon this desert. Nay, but Marian, hear me.

I do not jest.

[_At a sign from MARIAN, JENNY goes quickly inside the cave._]

That's well! Dismiss your maid!

Warman, remove a little.

[_His man retires._]

I see you think A little better of me! Out in the wood There waits a palfrey for you, and the stirrup Longs, as I long, to clasp your dainty foot.

I am very sure by this you must be tired Of outlawry, a lovely maid like you.

[_He draws nearer._]

MARIAN

Wait--I must think, must think.

JOHN

Give me your hand!

Why do you shrink from me? If you could know The fire that burns me night and day, you would not Refuse to let me s.n.a.t.c.h one cooling kiss From that white hand of yours.

MARIAN

If you be prince, You will respect my loneliness and go.

JOHN

How can I leave you, when by day and night I see that face of yours.

I'll not pretend I do not love you, do not long for you, Desire and hunger for your kiss, your touch!

I'll not pretend to be a saint, you see!

I hunger and thirst for you. Marian, Marian.

MARIAN

You are mad!

JOHN

Ay, mad for you.

Body and soul I am broken up with love for you. Your eyes Flash like the eyes of a tigress, and I love them The better for it.

Ah, do not shrink from me!

[_JENNY comes out of the cave and hands MARIAN a bow. She leaps back and aims it at JOHN._]

MARIAN

Back, you wild beast, or by the heaven above us, I'll kill you! Now, don't doubt me. I can shoot Truly as any forester. I swear, Prince or no prince, king or no king, I'll kill you If you should stir one step from where you stand.

JOHN

Come, come, sweet Marian, put that weapon down.

I was beside myself, was carried away.

I cannot help my love for--

MARIAN

I'll not hear Another sickening word: throw down your arms, That dagger at your side.

JOHN

Oh, that's too foolish, Marian, I swear--

MARIAN

You see that rusty stain Upon the silver birch down yonder? Watch.

[_She shoots. Then swiftly aims at him again._]

Now, throw your weapon down.

[_He pulls out the dagger and throws it down, with a shrug of his shoulders. One of his men steals up behind MARIAN._]

JENNY

Ah, Mistress Marian, There's one behind you! Look!

[_The man springs forward and seizes MARIAN'S arms._]

JOHN

[_Coming forward and taking hold of her also._]

So, my sweet tigress, You're trapped then, are you? Well, we'll waste no time!

We'll talk this over when we reach the castle.