FRIAR. One shall suffice, and this is he. No man, that cometh in this wood To feast or dwell with Robin Hood, Shall call him earl, lord, knight, or squire: He no such titles doth desire, But Robin Hood, plain Robin Hood, That honest yeoman stout and good, On pain of forfeiting a mark, That must be paid to me his clerk. My liege, my liege, this law you broke, Almost in the last word you spoke: That crime may not acquitted be, Till Friar Tuck receive his fee. KING. There's more than twenty marks, mad Friar. [_Casts him purse_. FRIAR. If thus you pay the clerk his hire, Oft may you forfeit, I desire. You are a perfect penitent, And well you do your wrong repent: For this your highness' liberal gift I here absolve you without shrift. KING. Gramercies, Friar. Now, Robin Hood, Sith Robin Hood it needs must be, I was about to ask before, If thou didst see the great stag's fall. ROB. H. I did, my lord, I saw it all; But missing this same prating friar, And hearing you so much desire To have the losel's company, I went to seek Small-Honesty. FRIAR. But you found Much, when you found me. ROB. H. Ay, Much my man; but not a jot Of honesty in thee, God wot. QUEEN. Robin, you do abuse the Friar. FRIAR. Madam, I dare not call him liar: He may be bold with me, he knows. How now, Prince John, how goes, how goes This woodman's life with you to-day? My fellow Woodnet you would be. JOHN. I am thy fellow, thou dost see; And to be plain, as God me save, So well I like thee, merry knave, That I thy company must have: Nay, and I will. FRIAR. Nay, and you shall. ROB. H. My lord, you need not fear at all, But you shall have his company: He will be bold, I warrant you. KING. Know you, where-e'er a spring is nigh? Fain would I drink, I am right dry. ROB. H. I have a drink within my bower Of pleasant taste and sovereign power: My reverend uncle gives it me, To give unto your majesty. KING. I would be loth, indeed, being in heat To drink cold water. Let us to thy bower. ROB. H. Run, Friar, before, And bid my uncle be in readiness. FRIAR. Gone in a trice[276] on such good business. [_Exeunt omnes_. SCENE III.[277] _Enter_ MARIAN, _with a white apron_. MAR. What, Much! What, Jenny! Much, I say! MUCH. What's the matter, mistress? MAR. I pray thee, see the fueller Suffer the cook to want no wood. Good Lord, where is this idle girl? Why, Jenny! JENNY (_within_). I come, forsooth. MAR. I pray thee, bring the flowers forth. MUCH. I'll go send her, mistress, and help the cooks, if they have any need. MAR. Despatch, good Much. What, Jen, I say! _Enter_ JENNY. MUCH. Hie ye, hie ye! she calls for life. [_Exit_ MUCH. MAR. Indeed, indeed, you do me wrong, To let me cry, and call so long.