No, no, not that! not that! If you should blind me God will repay you. Kill me out of hand! [_Enter PRINCE JOHN and several of his retainers._] JOHN Who is this night-jar? [_The retainers laugh._] Surely, master Sheriff, You should have cut its tongue out, first. Its cries Tingle so hideously across the wood They'll wake the King in Palestine. Small wonder That Robin Hood evades you. SHERIFF [_To the SERF._] Silence, dog, Know you not better than to make this clamour Before Prince John? SERF Prince John! It is Prince John! For God's love save me, sir! JOHN Whose thrall is he? SHERIFF I know not, sir, but he was caught red-handed Killing the king's deer. By the forest law He should of rights be blinded; for, as you see, [_He indicates the SERF'S right hand._] 'Tis not his first deer at King Richard's cost. JOHN 'Twill save you trouble if you say at mine. SHERIFF Ay, sir, I pray your pardon--at _your_ cost! His right hand lacks the thumb and arrow-finger, And though he vows it was a falling tree That crushed them, you may trust your Sheriff, sir, It was the law that clipped them when he last Hunted your deer. SERF Prince, when the Conqueror came, They burned my father's homestead with the rest To make the King a broader hunting-ground. I have hunted there for food. How could I bear To hear my hungry children crying? Prince, They'll make good bowmen for your wars, one day. JOHN He is much too fond of 'Prince': he'll never live To see a king. Whose thrall?--his iron collar, Look, is the name not on it? SHERIFF Sir, the name Is filed away, and in another hour The ring would have been broken. He is one of those Green adders of the moon, night-creeping thieves Whom Huntingdon has tempted to the woods. These desperate ruffians flee their lawful masters And flock around the disaffected Earl Like ragged rooks around an elm, by scores! And now, i' faith, the sun of Huntingdon Is setting fast. They've well nigh beggared him, Eaten him out of house and home. They say That, when we make him outlaw, we shall find Nought to distrain upon, but empty cupboards. JOHN Did you not serve him once yourself? SHERIFF