To them enters Ralph, the sheriff’s man, to acquaint him that the carnifex, or executor of the law, had fallen off his “curtall” and was “cripplefied” and rendered incapable of performing his office; so that the sheriff was to become his deputy. The sheriff insists that Ralph shall serve the turn, which he refuses. In the midst of the altercation, “Enter Robin Hoode, like an old man,” who tells the sheriff that the two outlaws had murdered his young son, and undone himself; so that for revenge-sake he desires they may be delivered to him. They denying the charge, “Robin whispers with them,” and with the sheriff’s leave, and his man’s help, unbinds them: then, sounds his horn; and “Enter little John, Much . . . Fight; the frier, making as if he helpt the sheriffe, knockes down his men crying, Keepe the king’s peace. Sheriffe [perceiving that it is “the outlawed earle of Huntington”] runnes away, and his men.” (See the ballad of “Robin Hood rescuing the widow’s sons,” part ii. num. xxiii.) {lvi} “_Fri._ Farewell, earle Robert, as I am true frier, I had rather be thy clarke then serve the prior. _Rob._ A jolly fellowe! Scarlet, knowest thou him? _Scar._ Hee is of Yorke, and of Saint Maries cloister; There where your greedie uncle is lord prior. . . . _Rob._ Here is no biding, masters; get yee in. . . . John, on a sodaine thus I am resolv’d. To keepe in Sherewoodde tille the king’s returne, And being outlawed, leade an outlawe’s life. . . . _John._ I like your honour’s purpose exceeding well. _Rob._ Nay, no more honour, I pray thee, little John; Henceforth I will be called Robin Hoode, Matilda shall be my maid Marian.” Then follows a scene betwixt old Fitzwater and Prince John, in the course of which the prince, as a reason to induce Fitzwater to recall his daughter Matilda, tells him that she is living in an adulterous state, for that “—Huntington is excommunicate, And till his debts be paid, by Rome’s decree, It is agreed, absolv’d he cannot be; And that can never be.—So never wife,” &c. Fitzwater, on this, flies into a passion, and accuses the prince of being already married to “earle Chepstowe’s daughter.” They “fight; John falles.” Then enter the queen, &c., and John sentences Fitzwater to banishment: after which “Enter Scathlocke and Scarlet, winding their hornes at severall doores. To them enter Robin Hoode, Matilda, all in greene . . . Much, little John; all the men with bowes and arrowes.[43] * * * * * “_Rob._ Wind once more, jolly huntsmen, all your horns, Whose shrill sound, with the ecchoing wods assist, Shall ring a sad knell for the fearefull deere, Before our feathered shafts, death’s winged darts, Bring sodaine summons for their fatall ends. {lvii}