_K. Edw._ But, Cuddy, Canst thou not tell where I might give and grant Something that might please And highly gratify the Pinner's thoughts? _Cud._ This at their parting George did say to me: "If the king vouchsafe of this my service, Then, gentle Cuddy, kneel upon thy knee, And humbly crave a boon of him for me." _K. Edw._ Cuddy, what is it? _Cud._ It is his will your grace would pardon them, And let them live, although they have offended. _K. Edw._ I think the man striveth to be glorious. Well, George hath crav'd it, and it shall be granted, Which none but he in England should have gotten.-- Live, Kendal, but as prisoner, So shalt thou end thy days within the Tower. _Ken._ Gracious is Edward to offending subjects. _K. James._ My Lord of Kendal, you're welcome to the court. _K. Edw._ Nay, but ill-come as it falls out now; Ay, ill-come indeed, were't not for George-a-Greene. But, gentle king, for so you would aver, And Edward's betters, I salute you both, And here I vow by good Saint George, You'll gain but little when your sums are counted. I sore do long to see this George-a-Greene: And for because I never saw the north, I will forthwith go see it; And for that to none I will be known, we will Disguise ourselves and steal down secretly, Thou and I, King James, Cuddy, and two or three, And make a merry journey for a month.-- Away, then, conduct him to the Tower.-- Come on, King James, my heart must needs be merry, If fortune makes such havoc of our foes. [_Exeunt._ SCENE II.--ROBIN HOOD'S _Retreat._ _Enter_ ROBIN HOOD, MAID MARIAN, SCARLET, _and_ MUCH. _Rob._ Why is not lovely Marian blithe of cheer? What ails my leman,[311] that she gins to lour? Say, good Marian, why art thou so sad? _Mar._ Nothing, my Robin, grieves me to the heart But, whensoever I do walk abroad, I hear no songs but all of George-a-Greene; Bettris, his fair leman, passeth me: And this, my Robin, galls my very soul. _Rob._ Content: what recks it us though George-a-Greene be stout, So long as he doth proffer us no scath? Envy doth seldom hurt but to itself; And therefore, Marian, smile upon thy Robin. _Mar._ Never will Marian smile upon her Robin, Nor lie with him under the greenwood shade, Till that thou go to Wakefield on a green, And beat the Pinner for the love of me. _Rob._ Content thee, Marian, I will ease thy grief, My merry men and I will thither stray; And here I vow that, for the love of thee, I will beat George-a-Greene, or he shall beat me. _Scar._ As I am Scarlet, next to Little John, One of the boldest yeomen of the crew, So will I wend with Robin all along, And try this Pinner what he dares do.