Collected Poems Volume II Part 58

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

You keep your word, that's all!

PUCK

Haven't I kept my word? Wasn't it I That made you what these poor, dull mortals call Crazy? Who crowned you with the cap and bells?

Who made you such a hopeless, glorious fool That wise men are afraid of every word You utter? Wasn't it I that made you free Of fairyland--that showed you how to pluck Fern-seed by moonlight, and to walk and talk Between the lights, with urchins and with elves?

Is there another fool twixt earth and heaven Like you--ungrateful rogue--answer me that!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

All true, dear gossip, and for saving me From the poor game of blind man's buff men call Wisdom, I thank you; but to hang and buzz Like a mad dragon-fly, now on my nose, Now on my neck, now singing in my ears, Is that to make me free of fairyland?

No--that's enough to make the poor fool mad And take to human wisdom.

PUCK

Yet you love me, Ha! ha!--you love me more than all the rest.

You can't deny it! You can't deny it! Ha! ha!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

I won't deny it, gossip. E'en as I think There must be something loves us creatures, Puck, More than the Churchmen say. We are so teased With thorns, bullied with briars, baffled with stars.

I've lain sometimes and laughed until I cried To see the round moon rising o'er these trees With that same foolish face of heavenly mirth Winking at lovers in the blue-bell glade.

PUCK

Lovers! Ha! ha! I caught a pair of 'em Last night, behind the ruined chapel! Lovers!

O Lord, these mortals, they'll be the death of me!

Hist, who comes here?

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Scarlet and Little John, And all the merry men--not half so merry Since Robin went away. He was to come And judge between the rich and poor to-day, I think he has forgotten.

PUCK

Hist, let me hide Behind this hawthorn bush till they are gone.

[_Enter the FORESTERS--they all go into the cave except SCARLET and LITTLE JOHN, who stand at the entrance, looking anxiously back._]

LITTLE JOHN

I have never known the time when Robin Hood Said "I will surely come," and hath not been Punctual as yonder evening star.

SCARLET

Pray G.o.d No harm hath fallen him. Indeed he said, "Count on my coming."

LITTLE JOHN

I'll sound yet one more call.

They say these Courts will spoil a forester.

It may be he has missed the way. I'd give My sword-hand just to hear his jolly bugle Answer me.

[_He blows a forest call. They listen. All is silent._]

SCARLET

Silence--only the sough of leaves!

LITTLE JOHN

Well, I'm for sleep: the moon is not so bright Since Robin left us.

SCARLET

Ha! Shadow-of-a-Leaf, alone?

I thought I heard thy voice.

LITTLE JOHN

Oh, he will talk With ferns and flowers and whisper to the mice!

Perfectly happy, art thou not, dear fool?

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Perfectly happy since I lost my wits!

SCARLET

Pray that thou never dost regain them, then, Shadow-of-a-Leaf.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

I thank you kindly, sir, And pray that you may quickly lose your own, And so be happy, too. Robin's away, But, if you'd lost your wits, you would not grieve.

SCARLET

Good-night, good fool.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

I will not say "Good-night,"

Wise man, for I am crazed, and so I know 'Tis good, and yet you'll grieve. I wish you both A bad night that will tease your wits away And make you happy.

[_The OUTLAWS enter the cave. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF beckons to PUCK, who steals out again._]

PUCK