FRIAR.  I never heard them touch’d with blood till now.

WAR.  Notorious villains! and they made their brags,
The Earl of Huntington would save their lives: 
But he is down the wind, as all such shall,
That revel, waste and spend, and take no care.

ROB.  H. My horn once winded, I’ll unbind my belt,
Whereat the swords and bucklers are fast-tied.
                             [To SCARLET and SCATHLOCK.

SCATH.  Thanks to your honour. [Aside.] Father, we confess,
And were our arms unbound, we would upheave
Our sinful hands with sorrowing hearts to heaven.

ROB.  H. I will unbind you, with the sheriff’s leave.

WAR.  Do:  help him, Ralph:  go to them, Master Friar.

ROB.  H. And as ye blew your horns at my son’s death,
So will I sound your knell with my best breath: 
                                 [Sounds his horn. 
And here’s a blade, that hangeth at my belt,
Shall make ye feel in death what my son felt.

Enter LITTLE JOHN and MUCH.[188] Fight:  the FRIAR,
making as if he helped the SHERIFF, knocks down his men,
crying, Keep the king’s peace!

RAL.  O, they must be hanged, father.

ROB.  H. Thy master and thyself supply their rooms. 
Warman, approach me not! tempt not my wrath,
For if thou do, thou diest remediless.

WAR.  It is the outlaw’d Earl of Huntington! 
Down with him, Friar!  O, thou dost mistake![189]
Fly, Ralph, we die else! let us raise the shire.

[SHERIFF runs away, and his men.

FRIAR.  Farewell.  Earl Robert, as I am true friar,
I had rather be thy clerk than serve the Prior.

ROB.  H. A jolly fellow.  Scarlet, know’st thou him?

SCAR.  He is of York, and of St Mary’s cloister,
There where your greedy uncle is Lord Prior.

MUCH.  O, murrain on ye! have you two ’scap’d hanging?[190]
Hark ye, my lord:  these two fellows kept at Barnsdale
Seven year to my knowledge, and no man[191]—­

ROB.  H. Here is no biding, masters:  get ye in,
Take a short blessing at your mother’s hands. 
Much, bear them company; make Matilda merry: 
John and myself will follow presently. 
John, on a sudden thus I am resolv’d—­
To keep in Sherwood till the king’s return,
And being outlaw’d, lead an outlaw’s life. 
(Seven years these brethren, being yeomen’s sons,
Lived and ’scap’d the malice of their foes.)[192]
How think’st thou, Little John, of my intent?

LIT.  JOHN.  I like your honour’s purpose exceeding well.

ROB.  H. Nay, no more honour, I pray thee, Little John;
Henceforth I will be called Robin Hood. 
Matilda shall be my maid Marian. 
Come, John, friends all, for now begins the game;
And after our deserts so grow our fame!

[Exeunt.