ELY. And, Master Warman, here's your patent sealed For the High Sheriffwick of Nottingham; Except the king our master do repeal This gift of ours. JOHN. Let him the while possess it. ELY. A God's name, let him; he hath my good will. [_Exit_. JOHN. Well, Warman, this proud priest I cannot brook. But to our other matter: send thy wife away. WAR. Go in, good wife; the prince with me hath private conference. WIFE. By my troth, ye will anger me: now ye have the pattern, ye should call me nothing but Mistress Sheriff; for I tell you I stand upon my replications. [_Exit_. JOHN. Thinkest thou that Marian means To 'scape this evening hence with Robin Hood? The horse-boy told me so; and here he comes, Disguised like a citizen, methinks. Warman, let's in; I'll fit him presently: Only for Marian am I now his enemy. [_Exeunt_. _Enter_ ROBIN, _like a citizen_. ROB. H. Earl John[177] and Warman, two good friends of mine: I think they knew me not, or if they did I care not what can follow. I am sure The sharpest end is death, and that will come. But what of death or sorrow do I dream? My Marian, my fair life, my beauteous love Is coming, to give comfort to my grief, And the sly queen, intending to deceive, Hath taught us how we should her sleights receive.[178] But who is this? God's pity! here's Prince John. JOHN. Good even, sir. This clear evening should portend Some frost, I think: how judge you, honest friend? ROB. H. I am not weather-wise; but it may be We shall have hard frost; for true charity, Good dealing, faithful friendship, honesty, Are chill-cold, dead with cold. JOHN. O good sir, stay, That frost hath lasted many a bitter day. Know ye no frozen hearts that are belov'd? ROB. H. Love is a flame, a fire, that being moved, Still brighter grows. But say, are you beloved? JOHN. I would be, if I be not: but pass that. Are ye a dweller in this city, pray? ROB. H. I am; and for a gentlewoman stay, That rides some four or five mile in great haste. _Enter_ QUEEN _and_ MARIAN.[179] JOHN. I see your labour, sir, is not in waste, For here come two; are either of these yours? ROB. H. Both are--one most.[180] JOHN. Which do you most respect? ROB. H. The youngest and the fairest I reject. JOHN. Robin, I'll try you, whether ye say true. [_Aside_. ROB. H. As you with me, so, John, I'll jest with you. [_Aside_. QU. ELIN. Marian, let me go first to Robin Hood, And I will tell him what we do intend. MAR. Do what your highness please; your will is mine. JOHN. My mother is with gentle Marian: O, it doth grieve her to be left behind. QU. ELIN. Shall we away, my Robin, lest the queen Betray our purpose? sweet, let us away: I have great will to go, no heart to stay.