ROBIN Listen! I'll go to meet him. [_Exit into the garden._] MASKERS It was the song of Blondel! The same song He made with Richard, long since!-- Blondel's voice! Just as we heard it on that summer's night When Lion-Heart came home from the Crusade. [_The Song still drawing nearer._] "Death! What is Death?" he cried. "I must ride on, On to my true love's side, Up to her throne!" [_Enter BLONDEL, from the garden. He stands, startled by the scene before him._] MASKERS Blondel! Where is the King? Where is the King? BLONDEL Did ye not know?--Richard, the King, is dead! MASKERS Dead! JOHN Dead! And ye let the living dog escape That dared snarl at our sovereignty. I know him, Risen from the dead or not. I know 'twas he, 'Twas Robin Hood! After him; hunt him down! Let him not live to greet another sun. After him! MASKERS [_Drawing their swords and plunging into the darkness._] After him; hunt the villain down! [_Curtain._] ACT V SCENE I. _Morning. Sherwood Forest (as before). LITTLE JOHN and some of the OUTLAWS are gathered together talking. Occasionally they look anxiously toward the cave and at the approaches through the wood. Enter two FORESTERS, running and breathless._ FIRST FORESTER The King's men! They are scouring thro' the wood, Two troops of them, five hundred men in each And more are following. SECOND FORESTER We must away from here And quickly. LITTLE JOHN Where did you sight them? SECOND FORESTER From the old elm, Our watch-tower. They were not five miles away! FIRST FORESTER Five, about five. We saw the sunlight flash Along, at least five hundred men at arms; And, to the north, along another line, Bigger, I think; but not so near. SECOND FORESTER Where's Robin? We must away at once! FIRST FORESTER No time to lose! LITTLE JOHN His wound is bitter--I know not if we dare Move him! FIRST FORESTER His wound? LITTLE JOHN Ay, some damned arrow pierced him When he escaped last night from the Dark Tower. He never spoke of it when first he reached us; And, suddenly, he swooned. He is asleep Now. He must not be wakened. They will take Some time yet ere they thread our forest-maze. FIRST FORESTER Not long, by God, not long. They are moving fast. [_MARIAN appears at the mouth of the cave. All turn to look at her, expectantly. She seems in distress._] MARIAN He is tossing to and fro. I think his wound Has taken fever! What can we do? FRIAR TUCK