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[315] yeomen, and thou art but one.—
Come, we will forward in despite of him.
Geo. Leap the ditch, or I will make you skip.
What, cannot the highway serve your turn,
But you must make a path over the corn?
Rob. Why, art thou mad? dar'st thou encounter three?
We are no babes, man, look upon our limbs.
Geo. Sirrah, the biggest limbs have not the stoutest hearts.
Were ye as good as Robin Hood and his three merry men,
I'll drive you back the same way that ye came.
Be ye men, ye scorn to encounter me all at once;
But be ye cowards, set upon me all three,
And try the Pinner what he dares perform.
Scar. Were thou as high in deeds
As thou art haughty in words,
Thou well might'st be a champion for the king:
But empty vessels have the loudest sounds,
And cowards prattle more than men of worth.
Geo. Sirrah, darest thou try me?
Scar. Ay, sirrah, that I dare.
[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.
Ge. 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,
And go with me?
Two liveries will I give thee every year,
And forty crowns shall be thy fee.[316]
Geo. Why, who art thou?
Rob. Why, Robin Hood:
I am come hither with my Marian
And these my yeomen for to visit thee.
Geo. Robin Hood!
Next to King Edward art thou lief[317] 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,
Mutton and veal: if this like you not,
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.
ACT THE FIFTH
SCENE I.—At Bradford.
Enter King Edward and King James disguised; each carrying a staff.
K. Edw. Come on, King James; now we are thus disguis'd,
There's none, I know, will take us to be kings:
I think we are now in Bradford,
Where all the merry shoemakers dwell.
Enter several Shoemakers.
First Shoe. Down with your staves, my friends,
Down with them.
K. Edw. Down with our staves! I pray thee, why so?
First Shoe. My friend, I see thou art a stranger here,
Else wouldst thou not have question'd of the thing.
This is the town of merry Bradford,
And here hath been a custom kept of old,
That none may bear his staff upon his neck,
But trail it all along throughout the town,
Unless they mean to have a bout with me.