Softly, or 'twill break!-- Ah, now 'tis sturdy cord. --I'll make it fast. But, how to break these bars! St. Nicholas, There's someone climbing. He must have a head Of iron, and the lightness of a cat! Downward is bad enough, but up is more Than mortal! Who the devil can it be? Thank God, it's growing dark. But what a risk! None of my merry men could e'en attempt it. I'm very sure it can't be Little John. What, Shadow-of-a-Leaf! [_SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF appears at the window._] 'Fore God, dear faithful fool, I am glad to see you. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF Softly, gossip, softly, Pull up the rope a little until we break This bar away--or some kind friend may see The dangling end below. Now here's a toothpick, Six inches of grey steel, for you to work with, And here's another for me. Pick out the mortar! [_They work to loosen the bars._] Wait! Here's a rose I brought you in my cap And here's a spray of fern! Old Nature's keys Open all prisons, I'll throw them in for luck, [_He throws them into the cell and begins working feverishly again._] So that the princes of the world may know The forest let you out. Down there on earth, If any sees me, they will only think The creepers are in leaf. Pick out the mortar! That's how the greenwood works. You know, 'twill thrust Its tendrils through these big grey stones one day And pull them down. I noticed in the courtyard The grass is creeping though the crevices Already, and yellow dandelions crouch In all the crumbling corners. Pick it out! This is a very righteous work indeed For men in Lincoln green; for what are we But tendrils of old Nature, herald sprays! We scarce anticipate. Pick the mortar out. Quick, there's no time to lose, although to-night We're in advance of sun and moon and stars And all the tackling sands in Time's turned glass. [_With a sudden cry._] Richard is dead! ROBIN Richard is dead! The King Is dead! SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF Ah, dead! Come, pick the mortar out, Out of the walls of towers and shrines and tombs! For now Prince John is King, and Lady Marian In peril, gossip! Yet we are in advance Of sun and moon to-night, for sweet Prince John Is not aware yet of his kinglihood, Or of his brother's death. ROBIN [_Pausing a moment._] Why, Shadow-of-a-Leaf, What does this mean? SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF Come, pick the mortar out; You have no time to lose. This very night My Lady Marian must away to Sherwood. At any moment the dread word may come That makes John King of England. Quick, be quick! ROBIN She is at the masque to-night!