At Robin Hood’s wedding.

Raleigh Who’ll dance with Robin Hood At Robin Hood’s wedding? Bessie I, said his bride, I’ll dance by thy side, Quoth Marion to Robin Hood, At Robin Hood’s wedding. Operetta in 2 acts

All by Then God save the King! Music by And God save the Queen! And let us all sing And dance on the green In memory of Robin Hood, In memory of Marion, Who danced at their wedding. First performance : April 2, 1902. , London.

With a hey, jolly Robin, etc.

(A dance. Queen Elizabeth and Essex enter on high ground at back, led on by the Fool. He points out to the Queen the group of “Robin Hood’s Wedding,” similar to that formed by the Morris Dancers in Act 1, in which Raleigh and Bessie are now the central figures.)

Curtain

27th May 2018 Page 40 Elizabeth Raleigh Roles I have changed my mind. With all my heart! (Alarm bell heard in distance. A Messenger enters The Earl Of Essex (Mr. Henry A. Lytton.) breathlessly.) All Sir Walter Raleigh (Mr. ) Aye! At Robin Hood’s Wedding! Walter Wilkins, a Player in Shakespeare’s Company (Mr. ) Ben Silas Simkins, another Player (Mr. Mark Kinghorne) The prisoners have escaped, madam Mistress 11 Finale Royal Foresters : Throckmorton and the witch girl. Long Tom (Mr. C. Torrence) ; Raleigh Big Ben (Mr. R. Crompton) Elizabeth Who’ll come, said Robin Hood, The Queen’s Fool (Mr. George Mudie, Jun.) Let them go! They are pardoned! Who’ll come to my wedding? A Butcher (Mr. Powis Pinder) A Baker (Mr. J. Boddy) Jill. A Tinker (Mr. Rudolf Lewis) Jill God save the Queen! A Tailor (Mr. Robert Rows) All those who love A Lord (Mr. C. Childerstone) The blue sky above, A Soldier (Mr. Lewis Campion) Elizabeth And the green grass to lie upon First Royal Page (Master Roy Lorraine) Ah! ‘Tis better than bedding! Second Royal Page (Miss Ela Q. May) The witch! Queen Elizabeth (Miss Rosina Brandram) (Jill runs off) All Miss Bessie Throckmorton (Miss Agnes Fraser) Soprano All such are welcome “Jill-All-Alone” (Miss Louie Pounds) All At Robin Hood’s wedding. The May Queen (Miss Joan Keddie) The witch! She’s a witch! Marjory (Miss W. Hart Dyke) Raleigh. Kate (Miss Alice Coleman) Essex Who’ll tie the lovers’ knot Lady-in-Waiting (Miss Rose Rosslyn) The Queen has pronounced her innocent. She is At Robin Hood’s wedding? Lords, Ladies, Townsfolk, Soldiers, &c. pardoned once for all, like the other. Who’ll go back on the Queen’s word? Sim Scenes : (Exit with Elizabeth) I, said the Friar, (Act I.) And I’ll lead the choir, (Act II.) (Jill brings on Bessie and Raleigh) Quoth Friar Tuck to Robin Hood, At Robin Hood’s wedding. Synopsis Jill Come you are safe. Raleigh. Two versions of the plot exist: Hood’s original from 1902 and a revised one by Dennis Arundell presented at Who’ll be the groom, his man, Sadler’s Wells in 1960. The opera is set in Windsor Town and makes frequent reference to mythology and Bessie At Robin Hood’s wedding? folklore (Robin Hood, King Neptune, St. George and the Dragon and witchcraft). Safe? Tom Act One: The Bank of the Thames.s Raleigh I, said Big John. The opera starts during the May Day festival with the crowning of the May Queen with “roses white and roses They are ringing the alarm. My Lincoln I’ll don, red ... the flowers of Merrie England”. Her two guards are introduced - Long Tom and Big Ben - who are Quoth Little John to Robin Hood, brothers identical in all but one thing. The “little difference between them” is that Big Ben (like the other men Bessie. At Robin Hood’s wedding. in Windsor) loves the May Queen, while Long Tom loves Jill (known as Jill-All-Alone). Jill is accused of ‘Tis our death bell! being a witch by the jealous May Queen and is shunned by the townsfolk. Raleigh Wilkins Who’ll give the bride away Bessie Throckmorton, one of Queen Elizabeth’s Ladies in Waiting, and Sir Walter Raleigh are in love though Nay, nay your wedding bell. The Queen has At Robin Hood’s wedding? they must keep their love a secret as the Queen is also in love with Raleigh. Bessie sings of how she carelessly pardoned you, as I planned as I planned! Take lost a love letter from Raleigh in the beautiful aria She lost the letter from her love. She worries that the letter your Maid Marion, sir, and we’ll play a Robin Wilkins may have fallen into Queen Elizabeth’s hands and thus reveal their secret love. Hood’s Wedding, in which I’ll play King Richard I, said the King, the Lionheart. What say you? My Queen too I bring, The Earl of Essex (Raleigh’s rival for the affection of the Queen) is handed the love letter (an acrostic on the Quoth Richard unto Robin Hood, name Bessie) by Jill-All-Alone and plans to use it to dispose of Raleigh. Walter Wilkins, a travelling actor, appears and argues that any play can be vastly improved by the addition of song (”if it’s played on a big brass Page 39 I do. My hetid, and answer (To Essex) band”) and claims that “that’s where [he] and Shakespeare disagree.” Do you hear that? Essex (A hunting horn is heard.) Queen Elizabeth then enters with much ceremony. Long Tom pleads for the Queen’s protection of Jill-All- What is it you do to your head? Alone from the townsfolk’s persecution. Asking her whether she believes she is a witch, she replies with the Essex paradox that if she were a witch she must know more than the townfolk, therefore she can’t be a witch as she Wilkins I hear nothing. would know (as the townsfolk seem to) that she is a witch if she were. She goes on to sing: I put dust upon it, sir as a sign of sorrow. ‘Tis an know that love is far above all jewels that are seen, Oriental custom A hunting horn faint and ghostly! Look! And I do know that, being so, ‘tis wanted by a Queen; (She points to back, where Tom rises from the But love, I we’en, must pass her by Elizabeth bracken, dressed as , against the red This insult angers the Queen, and she joins with the villagers in condemning Jill as a witch, locking her away Then suit the action to the words, and the words to of the sunset.) in the Tower of London for witchcraft. the action. Essex Essex hands the Queen Raleigh’s love letter which she initially mistakes to be meant for her. Raleigh gallantly Princess. I see nothing! (To others) admits that the letter is in fact meant for Bessie Throckmorton. The Queen is so incensed that she imprisons Oh, father, father, father, father dost Raleigh in the Tower of London. Thou say that I must die to-day? Do you? Ben Act Two: Windsor Forest. Wilkins Jill has managed to escape with Raleigh using a secret passage out of the tower. I dust No! My head, and answer, “Yes, my child, thou must!” Simkins The majority of act two concerns the staging of a play for Queen Elizabeth. Wilkins works on a version of the story of St. George and the Dragon which does not go down well when presented to the Queen and Essex. Det. Nor I! Wilkins and Princess. Eventually the Queen is convinced to allow Raleigh and Bessie to love each other, choosing Essex instead for Wilkins herself. 10 Nor I! Princess (Giving broad wink at Essex) The opera ends with everyone taking part in a reenactment of Robin Hood’s wedding to Maid Marian. Oh, here’s a to-do to die to-day But if it were Herne the Hunter himself. Everyone takes roles closely related to their part in the opera (Raleigh becomes Robin to Bessie’s Marian). At a minute or two to two, A thing distinctly hard to say, Elizabeth But a harder thing to do. Peace, I say! ACT I. Two men of Windsor born and bred (To Essex) For they’ll beat a tattoo at two to two, SCENE. The Bank of the Thames, opposite Who wear her badges of white and red, You see nothing there? A rat-a-tattoo at two Boohoo! Windsor. The flowers of Merrie England. And the Dragon will come Clowns enter. When it hears the drum Essex (The May Queen has entered, attended, and takes At a minute or two to two to-day, Nothing but a gnarled tree against the sun. 1 Chorus her place on throne.) At a minute or two to two! Elizabeth with May Queen and Butcher Sing down, a down, a down, May Queen Wilkins Then the sun has blinded me. I see red all red. Give Who comes this way? Now choose me two men, Why hullabaloo? You die to-day me your hand, Essex. The May Queen comes, let her path be spread Good men and true men, At a minute or two to two, With roses white and with roses red, Who’ll stoutly stand A thing distinctly hard to say Essex The flowers of Merrie England! On either hand But an easy thing to do! With all my heart. To guard my throne for me For they’ll beat a tattoo at two to two, (Aside) Of what shall be the crown A rat-a-tat-tat tattoo for you! ‘Tis what we played for. For the Queen o’ May? Chorus And the Dragon will come (As Essex is leading off Elizabeth the Fool, disguised Of roses white and of roses red We’ll choose these two men, When he hears the drum; at Apothecary, enters and approaches.) Shall a crown be made for the May Queen’s head Good men and true men, There’s nothing for you to do but stay, The flowers of Merrie England! Who’ll stoutly stand And the Dragon will do for you! Fool On either hand The drug, madam! And who shall guard the crown To guard thy throne for thee Elizabeth Of the Queen o’ May? Stop I Enough! Page 38 Page 3 May Queen But there is a certain difference between us! Elizabeth Lies lurking near us! She must be his food. Let them be bow-men, Shakespeare is a writer I am a critic! Freemen and yeomen, Ben Wilkins Mar Who were confess’d And in the days to be, God save the Queen! Why must you sacrifice our fair Princess To be the best The simple historee Unto the Dragon? Before the butts to-day! Of Brother Tom and me may point a moral! Essex Proceed with the action. Wilkins Chorus Tom (Wilkins changes scene to “Another Part of the Shall I tell you? They shall be bow-men, That Cupid, when he comes Palace.”) Freemen and yeomen, Between the best of chums, Mar Who, ‘tis confess’d, Doth generally lead them to a quarrel! Wilkins Yes! Did shoot the best Ben Enter several female attendants, singing and Before the butts to-day! We both do love a maiden, dancing. Elizabeth Our hearts with love are laden, No! It is enough that the Princess consents to be Butcher For each doth think his lady-love a Venus! Elizabeth sacrificed. Doubtless she has good reason. Come forth, stand forth, ye proper men! Why are the attendants dancing? Stand forth, Long Tom! Come forth, Big Ben! Tom Wilkins And I do say that mine is Wilkins Her reason hath left her, for dread of the Dragon. All As good a maid as thine is. Because, madam, they are dancing attendance on Long Tom! Big Ben! And that’s the little difference between us! the King. Essex Enter Dancing Girls. Well, well, let her enter without her reason, so she Enter Long Tom and Big Ben. Both (Wilkins changes scene to “A Garden with enters quickly. Yes, that’s the only difference between us! Fountains.”) 2 Duet And being men of mettle, Wilkins Long Tom and Big Ben Our difference we’ll settle, Wilkins “Enter the Princess Sabra with no reason. Music.” Then there won’t be any difference between us! O happy maids, why do ye dance and sing? The Princess enters, impersonated by the May Tom (They begin to fight with quarter-staves.) Queen. We are two proper men, Mar Myself and Brother Ben; May Queen Because it is our nature to, O King! Princess We both are Royal keepers in the Forest! (coming down to them) Oh, father, father, father, father,dust What now! How now! If I am Queen of Love to-day Wilkins Thou say that I must die to-day? I’ll have no quarrellers in my court! Have-done have Ben Nature! I gaze around, and it appears done, I say! What’s the bother? Do you both love the We’re ever hand in glove All nature smiles, while I alone shed tears! Wilkins same maid? Thou lovest what I love, O cruel Nature, mother of us all, I dust And I do ever hate what thou abhorrest! Yet of all mothers most unnatural! Ben To-day at dawn the joyful sun did rise. Essex I love thee , while Tom Nay, “I do!” “I do!” Though you be King of Egypt, We’re very like each other, Elizabeth yet speak the Queen’s English. Are myself and younger brother, Tailor ‘Tis the way of the world and it will soon set! And consequently people who have seen us. Look you, a Tailor is as big a man as a Forester in his Wilkins own way. Essex “Dust” is the right word, my lord. Ben Of your good nature leave the ill-nature of nature, Butcher Have mentioned that it odd is and proceed with the action. The Queen is Elizabeth Out of my way! A Butcher is a better man than a How in our minds and bodies impatient. Argue not, but say “I do!” There’s such a little difference between us Tailor. Wilkins Princess Baker Both (after changing scene to “A Rocky Desert“.) Oh, father, father, father, father dust And a Baker, too, may talk as loud as a Butcher, on But there is a little difference between us Ye do not know what duty brings me here? Thou say that I must die to-day? We’re as like as pot and kettle, occasion. It is to sacrifice my daughter dear Being made of self-same metal Unto the Dragon, which, ‘tis understood, Wilkins

Page 4 Page 37 will pretend you see him not. So the Queen will Wilkins Tinker Jill think he appears to her alone, for a warning — if God save the Queen. To say nought of a Tinker; and I say, “I love thee” My two legs. you tell your falsehoods fearlessly. Essex has Elizabeth arranged it with the common folk. What’s this? Others May Queen Enter others. And I! And I! And I! Witch! First Page The jest likes me well! Essex May Queen Jill ‘Tis a Masque, madam, which they have prepared for Peace! Cupid hath taught you to shoot your words This and that! Second Page your pleasure. I pray you listen to it if. straight. I will shoot as straight as you — I love Oddsfish! I like it not. I like not the thought of you not! May Queen frightening a woman, be she Queen or common. Elizabeth (To Tom.) I say you are a witch! It may distract me. We will listen to it but see that it is Will you shoot a round with me? What say you? First Page short. I’ll not stay here till the sun set. What character Jill Thou art frightened thyself! do you play, knave? Tom Some say what they do not know, and some know I say you are indeed a fair maid, yet I love you not. what they cannot say. But I will say what I know Second Page Wilkins listen! Nay. But it lies against my conscience to lie against Apart from the Prologue, I play two characters, May Queen I know that love my conscience, and I’ll not lie to the Queen, who is madam. First, the King of Egypt, whose daughter is to That arrow wobbles. It is too long for the bow. Is far above my conscience. I’ll have none of it. be sacrificed to the Dragon, and then St. George Trim it of’ “You are a fair maid,” and let fly. “I All jewels that are seen, himself, who rescues the lady. love you not”; ‘tis enough to wound a woman And I do know Page with! That being so Then go and pay thy taxes! Essex ‘Tis wanted by a queen! Proceed with the action of the play. Tom But love I ween Enter Essex and Elizabeth (Those impersonating the Seven Champions I would not wound thee, nor any woman. May pass her by, commence to sing) So I may laugh, Essex “We are Seven Champions of Christendom.” May Queen I pray you rest here, madam, a little, by Herne’s Oafish! Have no fear of wounding me, my man! I While she may sigh Oak Essex am heart-whole for all your “I love you not”! I wonder why? (stopping them.) Elizabeth Omit the Prologue. Ben Butcher ‘Twill soon be dusk. (Wilkins puts up a sign on which is written “This is a He is bewitched! Who do you dream would love you, you drab? Palace.”) Essex May Queen Jill Yes, madam. But there is nothing to fear from Wilkins How? Why, first, my cat here, and second, a better man Herne. He only appears, they say, when the I am the King of Egypt yet I frown! than you, or the dream would be a nightmare! And Sovereign contemplates My heart, once light as a feather, now is down! Ben third… (to May Queen) Why, by witchcraft! Elizabeth Essex …marry, a better man than you if love leads to What? Stay! The Queen cares not for the humour which is marriage. But if not a cat or a man, why, the birds May Queen and the deer and such wild forest things. For I am mere juggling with words, such as “ My heart, once Whose? Essex light as a feather, now is down.” There is a play on one of them! I am one of them! A crime, madam! the words “down” and “ feather,” and if a play hang Ben 3 only on a play of words, the play may go hang for a Song Why, a witch’s! And they say, by the same token, play of words only. See to it! Elizabeth that when you talk of the devil who is the father of Ah! witches Jill Wilkins Enter Jill. (She carries a cat in her arms.) Oh, where the deer do lie Essex Sir, I am no servile imitator of Shakespeare, but he There dwell I! Which is the same as if they said not at All For the hath his good points, and he hath sometimes made a May Queen Far in the forest shade, point with a play of words. Down in the dappled glade Queen can do no wrong. What’s brought you here? Oh, what a life!

Page 36 Page 5 Throw her a bone! (Exit.) Song Who can bill and coo for ever and be happy with Nobody’s wife This song is tusually omitted. your loves. Jill-all-alone! Wilkins Imagine you can bill and coo for ever if you will, True! Very true! Wilkins But don’t imagine turtle doves can coo without a Where Herne the Hunter rides bill; Perhaps you don’t imagine how important Jill abides; Don’t imagine that a cottage loaf is ever fancy Simkins nowadays I hear the ghostly sounds, bread, But, the fool! You play the fool! Know you him! The Is the part (outside a theatre) imagination plays; Herne ‘s phantom horn and hound And don’t imagine everything is butter that is leading player in Shakespeare’s company to whom I For our life is like a playhouse, where the livers Oh, she ‘s a witch! spread; play second, humbly nay, proudly! wouldn’t act, Pick up a stone! Don’t imagine, if your grocer is particularly bland, (Aside.) If our facts were never fancy, and our fancies Die in a ditch That you need not take your sugar with a grain or Flatter him so, aud he’ll wag his ass’s ears to any tune always fact! two of sand! you pipe! From the Laureate, who fancies that in any grassy But when the morning breaks (Aloud.) prose And awakes And if the kitchen boiler Prince of players! King of comedians! A fool indeed! (Which is turned out in a metre) a poetic fancy All other forest things, Should induce you to employ (Aside.) glows, Jill too awakes and sings That contemplative toiler, A fool in very deed! To the Youth of one-and-twenty, who imagines Oh, the sweet day! A plumber with his boy, when he dines Queen on a throne! When at last he takes his coat off, don’t imagine he Wilkins That he doesn’t fancy any but the most expensive Merry as May will plumb— Hush, friend you are fulsome. I am indeed Master wines! Jill-all-alone! That’s the moment he’ll imagine that his dinner hour Walter Wilkins, Poet and Chief Player in Will He will take a glass of sherry. has come! Shakespeare’s company; and for his profit I prophesy And imagine it is nice (Exit with Simkins and Ben.) May Queen that he hath a misconception of the part of a writer in (Though it’s only elderberry), Enter Jill with Tom She gives him the deer-skin. Now, what game shall we choose to suit May Day? writing a part, in that he hath too little regard for the If he pay a fancy price. Enter the Pages. matters of singing and dancing ; for a time will come (But the elderberry, nowadays, is going out of use, Jill when all comedies shall be musical, or the public will And the younger current fancy is the berry of the What shall you play? Why, the game of real life have none of them not even if I played the chief part, goose!) Jill real Queen with a real Court. Can anything be and so made the part seem greater than the whole. It is You’ll do this? merrier? My cat shall tell you how Queen Bess so I have counselled Will Shakespeare as I do you : There’s the Boy who fancies smoking is a pleasure fares. song and dance, my masters, song and dance or let the so profound Tom (To cat.) drama die a dull dog that is hanged on its own tag! That he’ll very soon imagine that it makes the For thy sake. What do you say? Of a truth of a truth! My Lord of world go round; (Exit.) Essex stands on one side of the throne so. Song And the Law-Case, where you fancy there is 4 money to be got, First Page (To Ben) Wilkins But the Law is such a lottery and Lawyers draw Come here, girl! I understand not this plot of Essex Do you stand for the Earl of Essex. And Sir Walter I do counsel that your playtime the lot! very clearly. Raleigh on the other side so; the side of the be a jocund and a gay time, The imaginary Invalid, who fancies she is ill, Queen’s heart. And your player be as merry as he can ; After reading the advertisement of some one’s Jill (To Tom, on left of May Queen.) If a play be glum and gloomy patent pill, Why, 'tis clearer than the Queen’s conscience, which And Mistress Throckmorton, the maid of honour, is very tragical and “ tomby” Will hurry to her doctor, whom she counts a it is planned to clear. It is to prevent her vengeance somewhere wherever Sir Walter’s thoughts are, I do act upon a very proper plan: “perfect dear” pursuing Bessie Throckmorton, so that Bessie may though the Queen knows it not. And so they play As a patriotic Briton (For his practice makes him perfect, and I don’t marry Raleigh. So Raleigh will be out of the way of “he loves me, he loves me not.” I have pondered on and written know what a year). Essex in the Queen’s favour when he is married, A jolly sailor song, about the sea, For the doctor is in luck, and which some call marred. Enter Wilkins with Simkins. With a hornpipe (though perchance one be Heavy fees will never lack, incongruous) I dance one, Whom the ladies call “a duck” (and Second Page Wilkins Whatever kind of character I be. Other doctors call a quack). Well? And what would you have me play? And the time will come ‘Twill be seen by some And the honour of the medical profession, as Jill you’ll see, Jill (Though not perchance by me) Well, to this end, find for the purpose of startling the With imaginative patients is a matter of degree! You? Do you play the fool, who laughs at love like When a dance will act like magic, Queen, the big Forester will appear to her anon in To those about to marry, don’t imagine you are a wise man; because it is wiser to laugh at a thing While five acts that are tragic the guise of Elerne the Hunter, and all of you here than to weep with it. doves Page 6 Page 35 Wilkins Wilkins Well, that’s where I and Shakespeare disagree The forelegs. And you (to Simkins) the hind part. A Dragon hath four legs, the same as any other May Queen So! centipede. There’s no character but marry! There are but two cures for witchcraft - to burn the (Putting them in position) ‘tis convenient to carry witch or drown her in a sack. Ben At any time the burden of a song! Simkins Then I am all its legs? One word will introduce it, Raleigh Why should I suffer myself to play the tail to his and the public will excuse it, If she be a witch. They nearly burned me for a head? Wilkins And, oddsbodikins! applaud it, wizard when I first burned tobacco! But who’ll think loud and long! No, no! ‘Tis clear enough! It hath four legs, and two of witches on May Day? Better drown such thoughts Now in Hamlet’s long soliloquy Wilkins legs are forelegs, so with its hind legs it is four- and here comes the sack to drown them in. he mentioneth the billow To save thyself suffering. The front part is the part I legged; and it comes forth before me after I come, as I Enter a Vendor of wine and mead. Dost remember in “To be, or not to be”? beat in the fight. have come after it, being forewarned, and therefore Come the words “a sea of trouble“ forearmed. the applause, I trow, would double Vendor Ben If he forthwith sang a song about the sea! Who’ll buy my mead or sack? Why should I play the part you beat? Simkins And the time will come Four gills to the pint, and a quart to a Black Jack! Then it is four-armed as well as four-legged? Twill be seen by some Who’ll drink my mead or sack? Wilkins (Though not perchance by me) Why, man, ‘tis the better part the head part the Wilkins When a lively Prince of Denmark thinking part -the part of intellect. It is I who am forearmed. It hath no arms but its teeth. Will sing that song, and then mark Raleigh How entirely I and Shakespeare disagree! Why, every Jack of us here at my expense. And see Ben Ben that every Jack has his complement of Jills, as the Doth a Dragon think with his intellect? Where does such a beast really live? song goes. (Dance) (Taking a Black Jack.) Marry, ‘tis a very Falstaff of wine-cups! Wilkins Wilkins (Exit) More than with his tail. Now, the Dragon comes Such a beast does not really live at All after the Princess to devour her. Tom 5 Song and Chorus Simkins Were I indeed Sir Walter Raleigh, and the Queen Simkins Then how can it be slain? loving me and I not loving the Queen, because of And do you come after the Dragon? my love for a maid of honour, I would, if I were a Raleigh Wilkins man of honour and Sir Walter Raleigh That every Jack should have a Jill Dame Nature always meant, sirs; Wilkins Have you no imagination? Enter Raleigh. But where’s the gill can hope to fill No. I come first, and challenge Dragons, all and This Jack to his content, sirs? sundry. And then this Dragon comes forth. Raleigh Simkins Since three or four of gills or more Well, friend; if you were I, what then? I cannot picture this foolish beast at all, that comes Do make his proper measure, Simkins forth on four legs which are two legs, to be slain when Give Jack his mead, and Jack indeed And do other Dragons come second and third? it is not really alive. Tom Will bubble high with pleasure! Nay, sir; I was speaking my thoughts aloud. Then here’s a lack Wil Wilkins Of care that kills, There are no other Dragons. Such things live in the world of imagination. Raleigh When every Jack ‘Tis a dangerous malady in these times. If it grow Hath all his gills Ben Ben upon you, let a leech look at your tongue to cut it Of what he wills, And what am I? Where in the world is that? off. It may save your head. Or mead or sack, For they’re the Jills Wilkins Wilkins Ben For fat Black Jack! The forelegs of the Dragon. Why, everywhere in the world. For no one could Sir, do not be angry with my brother. He hath been imagine the world without imagination. fearfully bewitched by a wild wench who dwells in Now, Jack will lay you on the ground Simkins the forest. He claims her to be as sweet a maid as If you stay long together, How many legs hath a Dragon? our May Queen. I did set about cudgelling my For I’ll be bound, though fat and round, brains to find a cure for him, till he set about He is as tough as leather! cudgelling me. And who so wills to steal his Jills

Page 34 Page 7 Will find it is a tussle, May Queen For such extremely simple guise Wilkins Till on his back he’s laid by Jack, Yes? Would shock the modern worldly wise. Sir, Shakespeare never wrote anything quite like it. For Jack’s a man of muscle! Yet even now sometimes, they say, But here’s a lack etc. Tom He takes a little holiday; Essex To like my brother. And every now and then returns Good! (Exit) Where old Dame Nature waits, and yearns! May Queen Wilkins For Love’s a gipsy still at heart, May Queen Must it be always .you, or your brother? Now listen - Very good, sir! Though fashion makes him look so smart; Now listen to me! A witch is a witch, whether it be I hate big men. It is brain that women worship brain, Enter Jill. And I, for one, would not complain May Day or Christmas. fool, not bulks as is shown by the way I am attracted Were he a naked child again! to to Master Wilkins. (Exeunt Bessie and Raleigh.) Essex Butcher Enter Wilkins. (to Jill) The same with a butcher ’tis a steady trade and a Jill Come with me, and lend me your aid, and you sticking trade. Wilkins (to Wilkins) Sir, you have learnt the secret way by which to Who speaks my name? see that you arrange this with the players. escape from the Castle. You will tell no one, not Tinker (He whispers.) even the Queen? The same with a ... May Queen Wilkins Did I speak it aloud? I was thinking. It hath a sweet Essex May Queen sound ”Walter Wilkins.” Yes, it is a pretty name. (his expression changes.) As I mean to be her husband, I swear it I Now Let such as wish my favour my wishes .A witch is And you say that if we play such a prank upon the listen, a Roland for an Oliver; do you help me in a fair game and ever in season. And what’s a fairer Queen we shall be playing for the Queen’s benefit? Wilkins plan to work upon the Queen’s tears for her benefit game for a May Day than a witch hunt? Who says a And famous. witch hunt? and theirs and thine own. Let thy long lover don (Enter Raleigh.) the deer-skin dress which hangs in the passage if Essex Yes. Crowd he would save thy life and we’ll prick the Queen’s May Queen conscience to pity, with an apparition of Herne the I! And I! And I! What think you, Master Wilkins, of love at first sight? Hunter! Sound the hunting horn twice or thrice, Wilkins and hush! I’d rather the Queen played for mine. But I’ll see to Butcher Wilkins it. A hue and cry! A witch! A witch I Why, love seems a merry thing at first sight and I Jill have never looked further. I’ll see to it! Essex Ben (Exit to oak.) (to Jill.) Hue! Hue! A witch hunt! Enter Wilkins Come! Raleigh (To Wilkins) All Then sigh not for second sight or you may prophesy Wilkins Anon! Hue! Hue 1 Hue! A witch! A witch! Hue! Hue! differently . Pray, sir, does the Queen come this way? (Exeunt all, except May Queen, Kate, and Tom.) Wilkins Wilkins Essex Anon, sir, anon! Tom I prophesy indifferently, sir; but if love come to me, What matter is it of yours? Enter Ben and Simkins. They’ll not catch her, for she runs like a deer. But if ‘twill find me merry, or not at all. they do and do her harm well, I will not kill thee, Wilkins Simkins even then, for my brother’s sake. Raleigh The small matter of the matter of a Masque of St. Concerning the Dragon which we play. To laugh at love is fool’s wisdom. George and the Dragon, which I have prepared for May Queen the Queen’s pleasure, if it please her, and fall in Wilkins Your brother’s sake I What is your brother to me Wilkins with her plans. You understand the purport of the Masque. The or what are you? To weep with it is wise man’s folly, sir. King of Egypt hath a daughter who is to be Essex sacrificed to the Dragon. Tom Raleigh It may fall in with mine. I’ll see she sees it. Is it a I have thought that you liked me, a little, and I Perhaps. I like your humour. good Masque? would have liked you Ben And I play the legs of the Dragon.

Page 8 Page 33 Essex Raleigh Wilkins lovers; they would sooner die than marry, so it Being free, and you a prisoner, I took that liberty. Then we are friends by circumstance. What would My humour is good humour, sir that is my rule of seems. And to turn events the other way were as you have us do? life, and I apply it to love. easy as the alphabet. Think of his Romeo and Juliet, Raleigh and what it might have been had I written it! Now (clapping his hand to his hip.) Essex 6 Quintet mark I have no sword! I’d give my right hand for a Watch me I meet the Queen here anon. Leave projects A. was the Angel he met at the ball; sword. to me, and me to this project that a crown weighs May Queen, Kate, Raleigh, Wilkins, B. was her beauty apparent to all; C. is for Capulet (name which she bore); more than Cupid, nowadays. and Tom Essex D. the disguise which young Borneo wore; Love is meant to make us glad, E. for the Ease of his elegant pose; A bargain! Take mine, and I take your hand! For Hey, jolly, jolly little Cupid! F. the Fandango they danced on their toes; we are friends by circumstance. Bessie Fools do let him make them sad, G. the Guitar which he played by and bye, Not always. There are still love matches in the world. Hey, folly, folly, they are stupid! H. for her Handkerchief dropped in reply ; Bessie Let’s be wise (I am young Romeo, breathing his love; I do not understand. Essex If we do meet him, J. is for Juliet sitting above!) They’re matches that will never set the Thames a-fire Heave no sighs K. the last Kiss as apart they are torn Raleigh Love’s no longer a baby; he has grown up and turned But gladly greet him! L. by the Lark who’s the “ herald of morn” Nor I! shopkeeper And say to him “ Good day “ to him, M. is the Moon that’s preparing to set; 9 He’ll treat us as we treat him! N. is the Nurse calling, “ Come, Juliet!” Essex Song Hey, jolly, jolly little Love! O is the ejaculation she sighed, You understand the game of chess—I have often Sorrow follows folly, P. because promised ay Paris’s bride; seen you play with the Queen. Essex, with Bessie, Jill, and Raleigh. As the berries grow on holly, Q. are the Quarrels that quickly ensued; (To Bessie.) When Cupid first this old world trod, And oh, ‘tis folly R. are the Rapiers drawn in the feud; Do not sigh, that is over; and it is I who am playing He was, you know, a baby god; To be afraid of Love! S. for the Sentence pronounced by the “Book “ now. And old Dame Nature nursed the lad, Love is but a butterfly, T. for the Tragical Turn events took; But let him run about unclad. Hey, jolly! What is there to match it? U. is the Unhappy end of the play; Raleigh One day my Lady Fashion came, Will you watch it flutter by? V. is the Version which 7’11 write some day: Oh, folly, folly not to catch it! A crooked game? And blushed beneath her rouge with shame W Shakespeare’s an Xcellent writer, To see the pretty innocent Try to keep But Wise Editors will say my version’s brighter! Unclothed, in Gipsy Nature’s tent. It when you’ve caught it! (Exit with May Queen.) Essex Wherefore weep A knight’s move. And the stake is—a golden If you have sought it? crown. Now, watch the board. I have a mind to take And, heedless of Dame Nature’s curse, Enter Bessie. (She is gathering flowers, and sings.} She took him from his gipsy nurse, To sigh for it, and die for it, - the queen she is guarded by another knight you! Oh, wisdom never taught it! 7 But a pawn may take a knight a pretty pawn in And set him in her chariot, Song Determined to improve his lot. Hey, jolly, jolly little Love! petticoats. And if you be taken, I may take the Sorrow follows folly, queen The pawn moves, is then stopped by a castle, As the berries grow on holly, Bessie then breaks out, and the knight is taken; he is off Beneath my Lady Fashion’s rule, She had a letter from her love, Poor Cupid then was sent to school, And oh, ‘tis folly the board, and out of my way. I take the queen, a To run away from Love! And on her heart she laid it: bishop comes up, and mate! I’ve won a crown. And learned the laws of common-sense, ‘Twas all in rhyme, and Father Time And how to value pounds and pence. (Exeunt Tom and Kate.) She vowed could never fade it! Raleigh She dressed him up from toe to top, Ah me! a lover’s vow And put him in a London shop, In other words Wilkins She knoweth better now! Where Cupid, at the counter, sells She lost the letter from her love, Ah, sir, ‘tis in his treatment of lovers that I would New tunes for modern marriage bells. Or somebody did steal it; Essex read Shakespeare a lesson ; that it is pleasanter to And oh, the smart in her poor heart, In plain words, I would have you married to any make love go with laughter than with tears. For Love no longer baits his hooks She vowed that naught could heal it! one but the Queen. I followed this lady’s escape With gentle sighs and tender looks, with interest; and if you will follow my advice, I’ll Ah me! a lover’s vow But nowadays poor lovers get Raleigh She knoweth better now! wager a crown on two things that you marry the Entangled by a million (nett!). He has studied life. sweetest maid in England and I marry Elizabeth She found the letter from her love, So Cupid seldom comes to us Wilkins § Divine Natura agros dedit, ars humana a dificavit In puris naturalibus , No, sir, death. To live is not the fashion with his urbes. Varro : De Re Rustica.

Page 32 Page 9 When she had sorely missed it; Raleigh Loveless life is lifeless living Despite the stain of mud and rain, Love may be a verb, conjugated thus: I love, thou Raleigh. That were death indeed! She fondled it and kissed it! lovest, and that’s enough; for it requires no third To my lady! Life is sweet, but Love is sweeter; Ah me! a lover’s vow person present. (Exeunt all to reprise) Life is prose but Love a metre, She knoweth better now! Enter Jill, followed by Bessie, from Herne’s Oak. Throbbing with the pulse of music Bessie All that lovers need. Raleigh Ah! For the present. But how of other moods and Bessie, what do the words of that song mean? other tenses, the future and the past? Jill Life’s a chime, and Love the ringer; Wait here, lady. I’ll run and bring your lover. Life’s a lute, and Love the singer; Bessie Raleigh Though he choose a song of sadness, ‘Tis a song to heed. What do the words of a song matter, if the tune be I vow Bessie. right? What matter if a girl’s heart break, if her face I am afraid I I thought I heard footsteps in the Loveless life is lifeless living, smile? passage, following. Bessie Only Love hath power of giving I trow your vows are good vows as lovers’ vows go. Raleigh Unto life its breath and beauty They have served for the Queen before me, so I Jill Love is all divine. Are you going? should not complain. The echo. I’ll bring your lover he’ll kiss your Life’s the canvas nought is duller, colour back, I warrant. Till it gloweth gay with colour, Bessie Raleigh ‘Neath the hand of Love the painter, Yes. By your leave, I will take mine. You speak bitterly. Bessie. Master of Design! Thou art a kind girl! Life’s the parchment but the sonnot Raleigh Bessie Only Love can’ write upon it. Whither? But I smile sweetly? Jill Life is but an empty goblet, Nay! But we are two of a kind. For we both carry Love’s the rosy wine. Bessie Raleigh our lives in our hands, and love in our hearts. Away — to change my gown, to attend the Queen. In very truth. Life’s a chime, and Love the ringer: Bessie Life’s a lute, and Love the singer; Raleigh Bessie A double burden. Though he sing a song of sadness. I love you in a simple dress. And in very truth the words of my song were true, and I will not repine. (Coming to her.) mean much to both of us. “She lost the letter from her Jill (Enter Jill, followed by Raleigh.) Do you know what love is? love.” And so have I! Oh, if your letter be found and Aye I But what’s one without the other? I have brought to the Queen! heard it said Jill Bessie (to Bessie.) I was taught once. Raleigh. “Life’s a chime, and Love the ringer; Mistress, look up it is your lover What then? Life’s a lute, and Love the singer; Raleigh Though he choose a song of sadness, Raleigh. When? Bessie ‘Tis a song to heed.” Love has followed me Why, then, the air of Court would be bad for both of Anon, lady 1 I’ll run! Bessie us 1 (Exit.) Bessie Why, when I learned my Latin grammar thus: Beneath the greenwood tree! Love, which is masculine, should be declined in all Raleigh Bessie Enter Essex from Herne’s Oak. cases. Let’s have done with it now, you and I! What is it Aye! ‘Tis a song to heed! Essex they sing in the Tales of Robin Hood, in their Morris 8 Raleigh Danoe to-day? Song And so have! When its cases are plural. In my case, it is alone — “Then who would not be out of Court Bessie the one love of my life. As Robin Hood befell, Who shall say that Love is cruel? Raleigh To fare as Love may bid him fare I do guard it as a jewel, You! Bessie And bid all else farewell? Counting it the single flower Then it is singular. If Love follow him In a world of weed! Bessie Beneath the greenwood tree.” What if Love do bring me sorrow? You followed me Aye! It is when a man’s in love that the quiet of Love to-day and die to-morrow

Page 10 Page 31 Wilkins Wilkins country calls him loudest. Is it so with a maid? Lord He hath. Say no more, sir, say no more! There’s reason Would you give up your life in Court for me? ‘Twould ruin Raleigh if the news could be brought enough. The part is yours. You shall play Robin Hood to the Queen’s ears! Raleigh and be thrashed by Little John, while I play the Friar. Bessie A direct challenge, friend. In Court, or elsewhere, I would give up my life for Essex Simkins thee! It can if it be carried cautiously. Yet not too Wilkins And what of me? cautiously, but so that the news may fall Yes; I must beat him. 8 Duet opportunely, and seem to get broken unawares. For (Preparing to fight, then hesitating.) Wilkins Raleigh and Bessie the Queen hates the bearer of bad tidings only less Stay! This Jill-all-alone is a witch, therefore he is You shall content yourself with the hind legs of the than the tidings itself. bewitched. Therefore it is not his fault, and a man Dragon. But now for Robin Hood and Little John, and Raleigh must not be punished for what is not a fault. to see what shape we make. When true love hath found a man, Lord Therefore go your ways, and take a treacle posset; He will hear the pipe of Pan; What did he once say, “ Fain would I climb, but that I’ll not harm thee. The Play of Robin Hood and Pan, the god of open country, I fear to fall!” 7 Little John. Oh, his tunes are pretty! Tom Essex Do you forget we are to play the first meeting of Wilkins Nature bids you bring your sweet one And I say now, “ Love lies in ambush where Robin Hood and Little John where they fight; and I Two merry men a-drinking, a-drinking! Where no other soul may meet one; Ambition climbs!” play Little John, who thrashes Robin Hood? Love lets one arrow fly “Nature made the country side, Tipped with a glance and feathered with a sigh, Raleigh. And man did make the city.” § And Pride will lay him down and die Wilkins Before the moon was sinking, a-sinking! I did not remember at the moment that you played At the first blow Little John. Come, come to Arcadie! Take care! Tom Bring your Phyllis, happy Corydon! Marry, love is a foolish thing! A Stranger he did pass that way, Learn together, if you can, (Enter Simkins with Wilkins.) Raleigh. And he did listen to their lay. (to Wilkins) The simple tunes of Piper Pan! Whoever he be. Simkins Let me play your part! I’ll crack his crown Bess Nay, sir, love is a very serious thing, as my friend Or drink him down When a maid doth love a man, here has only learned in the last half hour. Wilkins Before the grey of morning. You? Why, sir, why? Can you give me any reason She will hear the pipe of Pan; Pan will call her, call her, call her, Wilkins. that you should? All With a magic ditty! It is like the plague a man may take it lightly till it (Aside.) Then all did sit a-drinking, a-drinking, take him. And if it overtake him it will undertake Try to think, sir, and I’ll owe you a new crown for Until the moon was sinking, a-sinking, Better far a country cottage him; for Love is a very undertaker to bury the gay in the cracked one you’ll get. For Little John did with them stay, (Aloud.) If your true love share your pottage, the grave. So all did sing this roundelay Than to dwell in Castle Pride, Is there any reason why I should give up my place On many a summer’s night! to you? As some do more’s the pity! Who dares to drink, etc . Simkins Raleigh Come, come to Arcadie! He talks like a book. I’ll be Phyllis, you be Corydon! Only this: I am Sir Walter Raleigh. Wilkins Happy maid and happy man, Essex (to Raleigh.) To dance all day for Piper Pan! All Well, sir, you shall play the part, and as for me, I’ll In a shabby cover. Sir Walter! content myself with the two characters of St. George (Dance. Exeunt Wilkins and the King of Egypt which I play in my Masque. (Enter Essex, with a Lord. ) Raleigh. Now to the Castle, unless we meet the Queen by the And without a title, my lords. But judge not a book by its cover, nor a man by his title or lack of one. And I would take any part which will take me into way, when she may insist upon my Masque Essex the Castle to take the part of my lady, who is in immediately. For Love, sirs, in this last half hour, has made me There goes a lesson in love and the madness of sore distress. one of Nature’s noblemen. lovers! For there goes one who prefers the good All looks of Bessie Throckmorton to the good books Essex To the Castle! of Bessie of England! That’s against Nature. Page 30 Page 11 You’ll allow me to fly to the rescue! care to call me. Wilkins Wilkins Why I am her Robin Hood. And if you prefer this Sir, King Cupid can confer nobility on all men in Simkins Butcher maid to another, I beat you on my own account for half an hour. Then to live in an attic (on this be emphatic), Who are you who talk so loud of lover? There are your offence. But if you prefer another maid to this An attic some lodging-house drab lets, enough men in Windsor to make her a husband, if maid, I beat you on her account for her defence. Essex Is far happier if you share it with her, she would but take one of us. Which you will, so we fight. ‘Tis the way of all new nobility. It grows rank, like Than a palace. Put that on your tablets. a mushroom bed. Raleigh Raleigh Wilkins Good sooth, sir, I am no lover of this maid; but Give me a quarter-staff! Wilkins For your thoughts at all times you’ll be breathing in there is a sweet maid in the Castle. Love, sir, can alter a man’s habits quicker than he rhymes, Wilkins can change his clothes Though your friends never thought you a poet; May Queen Nay! I spoke but to prove your courage! I like a man (Enter Tom, who stands silent at back.) But if love blow its nose, it can’t do it in prose, So? There is a sweet maid in the Castle and am I who’ll take a broken head for the sake of his lady. It must have a poet to blow it. so sour? You are welcome to your own opinion 1 will not 9 Trio. So the love of a lady’s a curious thing, take it from you. Wilkins, Essex, and Simkins. A poetical fancy it’s certain to bring, Raleigh And the present poetical song which we sing Nay, I doubt not you are fair and sweet as you are Raleigh Is expressly intended to show it! Wilkins sweetly fair a very . There is no Thanks, friend! (Dance, and exeunt.) sweeter flower in all Cupid’s garden. Enter Tom When a man is a lover, he’s bound to discover (Enter May Queen.) A fact of which I’m an informant: 6 Song Tom His nature will change, or at least rearrange May Queen Some points which were formerly dormant. Hearken to me! I love the maid they call Jill-all- Well, where ‘s your witch? Raleigh alone, I say she is no witch, and I would have had Dan Cupid hath a garden her chosen Queen of the May for Windsor. Simkins Tom Perhaps more or less, in the matter of dress, Where women are the flow’rs; I know not that she is a witch. He was careless or shabby or shady; And lovers’ laughs and lovers’ tears May Queen But love Will change that he will buy a new hat, The sunshine and the show’rs. (to Wilkins) When he’s fallen in love with a lady! May Queen And oh, the sweetest blossom You heard that? I know she is. Contradiction is unmannerly. That in his garden grows, Essex The fairest queen, it is, I ween, Wilkins For the love of a lady’s a curious fact, Tom The perfect English rose! No. I am a thought deaf in the right ear. On a slovenly person it’s certain to act; But not unwomanly, so it seems. If his coat is well brushed and his boots are well Let others make a garland Tom blacked, May Queen Of every flow’r that blows, I love Jill-All-Alone. She is no witch, and I would You may know he’s in love with a lady! Let me pass. But I will wait till I may pluck she had been chosen Queen of the May for Windsor. Though a small man by nature, your love will My dainty English rose! inflate your Tom In perfume, grace, and beauty May Queen The rose doth stand apart Proud heart to a size which is grander; Am I in thy way? Will you let him say that? You’ll feel you might rank (though a clerk in a God grant that I, before I die, bank) May wear one on my heart! (Enter Wilkins) Wilkins With a hero as brave as Lysander. May Queen He has said it, and that can’t be helped. But I You’ll be bursting with pluck, and will curse your Aye. I seem ever falling in with thee, for some reason. assuredly shall not let him say it again. ill-luck Wilkins Harkee, sirrah do you sing the praises of this That while peacefully tied to a desk, you Tom Tom Are longing to meet a mad dog in the street maid? Or do you prefer another maid above this And falling out, for none. I’ll go. I love Jill-all-alone. I would she had been chosen With some one or other to rescue! maid? Queen of the May for Windsor. May Queen Raleigh Wilkins Stay, as thou art here. What character do you play in May Queen Oh, the love of a lady has such an effect Why? the Morris Dance? He hath said it again. Upon me , that I beg if you ever detect A house that’s on fire, or a ship that is wrecked, Page 12 Page 29 May Queen Tom Jill Oh, love, it is a happy thing, Then kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, I’m put down for Robin Hood, your champion. Save me! It cometh unto clown or king, When it is the Queen’s will! As any one may see. But what is a good thing May Queen Simkins And of all places where it flies, For Jack and for Jill? Nav: Robin Hood should be a man of quality, not This is your scene! I am in the audience. There is no place beneath the skies quantity. (Enter crowd, led by Butcher. He seizes Jill and More fair than where the bracken grows, Chorus (Enter Wilkins) drags her to centre.) The honeysuckle and the rose, A dance is a good thing! Master Wilkins, will you play my Robin Hood Beneath the greenwood tree. today? And take this man’s part? Jill While bees do hum their roundelay, May Queen Are you all cowards here? ‘Tis there I’ll dream that Love some day Who’ll dance one? Wilkins May even come to me. Aye, if he care not to tight for it. (Exeunt) Wilkins (Enter Chorus, with Queen Of The May,etc.) Chorus No, not all, though I only answer for myself. I will! Tom (Threatening the Butcher.) 5 Chorus Not I! Stand back! May Queen (Exit.) The Queen o’ May is crowned to-day Then trip it, trip it, trip it, Butcher With a crown, a crown, a crown-a! For it is the Queen’s will! Wilkins Stand back thyself! Then where‘s the knave (Dance.) I hate a coward! Ah 1 would that I could prove (Boxes his ear.) Who’ll not be merry? Enter Raleigh; myself the hero love hath made me 1 If fierce fire We’ll dig his grave, would on a sudden leap from yonder castle, single Wilkins With a derry down derry, Raleigh handed I would scale the walls, and tearing down Well, I will stand back; that’s only fair. A down, a down, a down-a. Queen of the May, I ask a favour of you. the burning masonry with frenzied fingers, fling (Retreating.) the flaming fragments fling the flaming fragments. A brave man cannot ask another to do what he dare May Queen Tinker Where would I fling the fragments? not do himself. But fear not, gentle maid, I will (Enter Simkins) Now what is a good thing How now! Do you think she will favour strangers protect thee from all harm. For Jack and for Jill? when there are men of Windsor. Simkins May Queen Chorus May Queen Upon the heads of the applauding crowd. She is a witch! Drown her! A song is a good thing! Ask on. Wilkins All May Queen Raleigh Aye. Aye, a witch! A witch! Who’ll sing one? It is that I may join your Morris dancers when they (They bind her arms.) enter the Castle, and so enter it with them. Simkins Chorus Or if a mad bull, bursting from its barriers, Wilkins bounded bellowing in our midst, with superhuman I will! May Queen A witch? Now that alters the complexion of the We go there anon to play Robin Hood. strength wouldst seize the snorting brute by head matter. or tail and give him vigorous battle, though final May Queen victory Then sing it, sing it, sing it, Raleigh Simkins Let me play a character I know all the old games, Your own altered somewhat. You grew very pale. When it’s the Queen’s will! Wilkins But what is a good thing words and music. Let me go too. Were a toss up! Aye I For Jack and for Jill? Wilkins Tailor With anger. ‘Tis the way of brave men. Oddsfish! if Simkins Chorus Aye, go to! go to! Look you I stay here I shall fight the lot. I’d best away. Or if some gentle maid, a stranger, but a female in A kiss is a good thing! distress, flying from a murderous mob. May Queen May Queen Simkins Who’ll kiss me? You shall go. In what character? ‘Tis the safest plan! Wilkins (Exeunt.) Chorus Raleigh Would I protect her? Marry, that would I! (Tom enters and Ben) (Enter Jill, running. She clings to Wilkins) I will! ‘Twill be in the character of a lover, however you

Page 28 Page 13 Jill And nations to Westward, Fool friend, which is better than a wise man for an I claim a hearing and fair trial! As foemen did curse them, I could concoct it. Is it for a man or a woman? enemy. Therefore rejoice, if for nought else. Anon, The bowmen of England! gossip! Tom No other land could nurse them, Elizabeth (Exit.) And I claim that for her! But their motherland, Old England! Give me enough for a man. And on her broad bosom did they ever thrive! (Raleigh turns and sees Jill, who has entered.) May Queen Fool Where are the Yeomen, the Yeomen of England? What right have you to speak for her? ‘Twill be less than for a woman. Raleigh In homestead and cottage they still dwell in England! (to Jill) Stained with the ruddy tan Tom Elizabeth Tell me, girl do you know where the Morris dancers God’s air doth give a man, are? The free right of a free man. Free as the winds that fan the broad breast of How so? England! Jill (Essex has entered.) Fool And nations to Eastward, On their way to the Castle, to play before the Royal Why, thus the first and last effect of such a drug is And nations to Westward, servants. Essex As foemen may curse them, loss of breath. And the first and last effect of loss That’s right enough. And I warrant these people say of breath is loss of speech. And ‘tis easier to stay a The Yeomen of England! Raleigh the same or they wrong their own rights! No other land can nurse them, man’s speech than a woman’s. And I would join them ‘tis my way into the Castle. But their motherland, Old England! Soldier. And on her broad bosom shall they ever thrive! Elizabeth Aye I Ayel Fair trial and no favour! (Enter Wilktns.) Stay thine, and bring me the drug. Jill Then you’ll be of Robin Hood’s merry men and your Essex Wilkins Fool looks belie you, for you do not look merry. Untie her. Is the fighting finished? In an hour, madam. Raleigh Jill Simkins Elizabeth I am the most miserable of men ; for I am in love and outlaw! (to Essex) It has not begun yet. Stay, you’ll have your chance Here! I thank you, sir. (Exit.) Jill May Queen Then you are in the best and out of the worst in the Essex Let the witch have a trial a witch’s trial. Into the river Enter Raleigh, dressed as a Forester, and with his world Love and the Law I So you should be merry, Thank your champion here. with her! In with her! beard shaved. like Robin Hood. (To Tom) I do but say what the Queen would say—for she Tom Raleigh Raleigh would love thy stock of courage as she loves the Stay! I am a man of few words, but I would say as Listen, knave! Deliver not that drug to the Queen, But “Love followed him.” courage of thy stock. The Yeomen of England I prettily as may be, if you will bear with my lack of as you value your own life I I am Sir Walter She says they built her throne! fine language, that the first who lays finger on her I Raleigh will kill. Jill All Fool “As love may follow thee” it may, sir, it may. Is not God save the Queen! May Queen Then you are a bare-faced jmpostor, and I a this the month of May? Come, let your brown thoughts take a lesson from the bees. Look! They do So? Now, who’s my champion? bearded one! Look! 10 Song (He takes off his false beard and opens his cloak, not loiter where there are no sweets, but suck honey where they can. ‘Tis the wise way, or I’m no witch! Simkins showing his motley.) Essex (to Wilkins) Duet Who were the Yeomen, the Yeomen of England? Your chance at last! Raleigh 4 The free men were the Yeomen, the free men of The Queen’s Fool! England. Wilkins Jill and Raleigh Stout were the bows they bore I will wait till last ’tis more modest. And modesty Fool It is the merry month of May. When they went out to war. doth become a brave man. Aye more fool than knave; and not the first fool The bees do hum a roundelay, Stouter their courage for the honour of Englnnd! that disguised his folly to some good purpose. Fear And all the world is sunny. Simkins not, Walter! Your sweetheart shall live to die of So let your brown thoughts hie away, And search the world for honey. And nations to Eastward, I never saw a brave man become more modest! worse medicine than mine! You have a fool for a

Page 14 Page 27 Page Enter Wilkins, with others. Essex Here’s the apothecary, madam, of whom he told Ben (to Jill) you. Wilkins I’ll not fight my brother again. And besides and Why do you venture here if they hunt you as a God save the Queen! beyond and above, a Tailor is as big a man as a witch? Elizabeth Forester in is own way, so I’ve heard. Ah! Elizabeth (Puts Tailor in his place.) Jill (To others.) Who are you, fellow? ‘Twas to carry this to a lady of the Court, whom I Go, and wait near. I’ll talk to this apothecary alone. Tailor saw drop it in the forest. They tell me he is cunning with his drugs, and my Wilkins And a Butcher is as good a man as a Tailor (Showing paper.} physicians cannot comprehend what ails me today. St. George of England, madam! And I have with me sometimes. St. Denis of France, St. James of Spain, St. Anthony (Exit) Essex Lord of Italy. This? I can. Tis an affection of the heart. Butcher (Taking it.) Elizabeth And a Baker may talk louder than a Butcher on Lady Enough! occasion. Jill Complicated with the black humour of jealousy. (Exit) Maybe she’ll give me a soft word for it. There’s nought more dangerous. Wilkins Then there are more than enough, for there are three Baker Tom Lord more. St. Patrick of Ireland,. St. Andrew of To say nothing of a Tinker. You would give your life for a soft word? To others! Bessie Throckmorton is like to die of it. (Exit) (Exeunt.) Elizabeth Jill Peace, fool! I’m in no mood for fooling. I’ll listen to Tinker Perhaps, and get the best of the bargain. Elizabeth thee anon perhaps. Who hath nothing to say at the moment. (to Fool.) (Exit) Tom Come hither! Wilkins Witch or no witch, and what you are I know not. (To Pages.) Anon! May Queen Go! So much for my lovers! Essex Butcher (Exit.) The Queen shall decide that Queen Bess; I will bring Second Page (and others.) you before her for judgment. I like not to leave your Grace with this knave. Anon! Anon! Ben (Exeunt.) If it come to that I’ll fight. Though he pound me to Tom Elizabeth a pudding. God save the Queen! You are a grave boy, and a brave boy, and a pretty Elizabeth boy, and… (to Fool.) Wilkins Jill (she kisses him) So you live a poor life? What would you give for an And afterwards, afterwards , mind, when a And me! …a faithful sweetheart. Now go! hundred crowns? pudding, you fight with me! Essex Second Page Fool Ben (to Lord.) If I were ten years older I’d marry her. Why, madam, my poor life if it were worth the Who are you, small man? We are in luck’s way! This is Baleigh’s writing a money, which it cannot be, seeing that if I give up love-letter to Bessie Throckmorton! ‘Tis an acrostic, First Page living ‘twill not be for money, but the want of it. Wilkins hiding the name Bessie Look If she were ten years younger, I’d do it. The May Queen’s champion, silkworm her Robin (Reading:) Elizabeth Hood to-day! And through fire and water will I go “Blessed the pen that writes my lady’s name, Elizabeth Listen! I need a drug that deals death, not life. A drug for her to smile at me! “E’en tho’ my pen do halt for very shame! Now. You looked starved, Apothecary! that’s swift and secret. One that counterfeits some “Shame at its own unworthiness to write (Exeunt.) natural disease in Nature’s armoury. A drug that Ben “So sweet a name” strikes like a dagger, but leaves no pommel in the Into water shall you go forthwith for her to laugh Fool wound, to point suspicion. Know you such a drug? at you! Come, coxcomb! And so forth. Now mark how this will fall out for Yes, madam. ‘Tis a poor life to live on drugs. (He throws Wilkins into river, and exit.) Raleigh. (To Tom)

Page 26 Page 15 This paper may be what she says, or it may be While thou art sleeping, I’ll That will make you shout Out of the way, clowns! The Queen comes! some witchcraft of her own; I know not some love Be wakeful, ever wakeful! When you feel “washed out,” charm. And your courage will lend some starch to! Wilkins Sword and buckler by thy side, Of course I know The Queen, sir? Jill Best on the shore of battle-tide, Such a taste is low, (Opening manuscript of Masque.) Sir, I declare Which, like the ever-hungry sea. But there’s many a mind may plumb it, Boars round this Isle; But what on Earth Essex Sleep till I awaken thee, smile; Can be the worth Page The Queen shall judge. Of a tune if a man can’t hum it? Aye! Begone! (To Tom) England, fair England, (To Apothecary.) Keep the girl in charge, and ask the Queen to judge Well hast thou earned thy slumber; Then, come, come, Wait there! her once for All The Queen can do no wrong. Yet, though thy bosom Follow the drum, No breastplate now encumber, Tho’ its music mayn’t be grand! Wilkins Let not thy fingers yield Tho’ the words be Dutch Tom Out of sight! But be ready to spring out upon the Grasp of thy sword and shield; Let the tune be such God save the Queen and (to Jill) thee! Queen with the Prologue of the Seven Champions of Thou shalt awake and wield As a Briton can understand! (Exeunt.) Christendom when I give the cue. Destruction when I call thee! And whether it be A song of the sea, Essex Sword and buckler by my side, Or a lay of the good dry land, Simkins And Kaleigh. He’ll need all our prayers when the Best on the shore of battle-tide, Let Art go hang, What’s the cue? Queen reads this! Which, like the ever hungry sea, If the tune go “bang!” (A March. The Crowd gathers. Then the Royal Boars round this Isle; When it’s played on a big brass band! Wilkins Barge approaches at back. Queen Elizabeth enters Sleep till I awaken thee, “God save the Queen!” Begone! I’ll wait here. from Barge, with Bessie, and Ladies and And in thy slumber smile! Simkins (Exeunt others) Gentlemen of the Court. The Queen’s Fool So nowadays follows.) Elizabeth Our musical plays Page 11 Where is Sir Walter Raleigh? Should be very peculiar salads Why do you loiter? Chorus Of simple sounds God save Elizabeth! Essex From “merry-go-rounds,” Wilkins Sing with united breath Where is Mistress Throckmorton? With occasional third-rate ballads! Why, sir God save Elizabeth, and England bless! And if these you mix May heaven prosper her! With big dram sticks Page May she our land prefer! Bessie (And serve with a big brass ladle), Dost ask me why? Because I prefer thy St. George for Merrie England and England’s Why question me, my lord? Little critical boys disappearance to thine appearance, and I like not thy Queen Bess! Raleigh Will applaud your noise proximity. As soon as they leave the cradle! (entering) Long live Elizabeth! Singing, Come, come, Because he would sooner question a woman than Wilkins Loyal and true till death Follow the drum, answer to a man. Cross swords and not questions, and Judge not a man by the outward appearance of his Unto Elizabeth shall England be! Tho’ the music mayn’t be grand! I’ll point my answers, I promise you! proximity, young sir. As for my proximity, ‘tis a Held high thy sceptre is Tho’ the words be Dutch (They draw.) flesh and blood proximity, with two eyes, a nose, Over thine enemies! Let the tune be such Elizabeth for England, and England for thee! and a mouth the same as thine own. And when next As a baby can understand! you find fault with a man’s face, call it a face and Elizabeth And whether it be Song Put up your swords! What does this mean? not a proximity; for some men understand not the A song of the sea, French language as I do! Or a lay of the good dry land, Elizabeth Let Art go hang, Bess (Enter Queen Elizabeth, with Lady-in-Waiting, and O peaceful England! If the tune go”bang!” second Page, and a Lord.) While I my watch am keeping, (to Elizabeth) When it’s played on a big brass band! Why, Sir Walter loves you, madam, and the other is Thou, like Minerva, (Enter Page, with the Fool, who is disguised as an Elizabeth Weary of war, art sleeping! jealous. Apothecary.) Where’s Essex? I said I’d meet him here. Sleep on a little while, And in thy slumber smile; Page

Page 16 Page 25 Wilkins Wilkins Elizabeth Ben Now the business of the day stands thus. First, we I would give you the sackbut you set the scenes. Put up your swords, gentlemen! For his conceit I threw him. meet here, by Herne’s Oak, and arrange the music play of Robin Hood’s meeting with Little John very Simkins Raleigh Wilkins proper to be played in the May Games, in which I How many kinds of music are there? As I am a man, madam, I’ll speak openly now of As he says, madam, ‘twas a quaint conceit of mine play Robin Hood. the love I have. to be thrown into the river, that I might afterwards Wilkins emerge in the character of Father Thames, whom I Simkins Why, two kinds. Instrumental, when there are no Elizabeth now represent. As Father Thames I stand before you And I, the Friar. words; and vocal, or singing, when there is language (aside.) as Ambassador for King Neptune, to offer unto applied. As I am your Queen, be silent. I know of your Beauteous England the dignity and title of Mistress Wilkins love. Bessie has told me. of the Sea! Then having perfected ourselves in our parts, we Simkins proceed to the Castle to play before the Queen’s If I sing, what language will be applied to the music? Raleigh Elizabeth servants. But and mark this “but” if we do meet the Bessie has told you? A pretty conceit. Queen by the way, we forthwith commence my Wilkins Masque of St. George and the Dragon. I know not. But be advised, and sing only to the deaf Elizabeth Simkins (Showing manuscript.) and dumb, for a charity. Yes, and, I am not angry. (to Ben.) Marry, his conceit carries him further than you could Simkins Simkins Bessie throw him into the Queen’s favour. In which I play the part of the Dragon. Why should I sing for a charity? (to Raleigh) I have been falsely true and truly false, to save 12 Song Wilkins Wilkins your life. The hind part of the Dragon. Because charity suffereth long. And they who suffer Wilkins, with Chorus long muzzle their dogs, so that they cannot howl. Elizabeth King Neptune sat on his lonely throne, Tinker Which is sound sense, though it sounds nonsense. For I’m in a merry mood. Where are the May Games? On his lonely throne sat he; And what do I play? music is, in a sense, a sense of sound. And if your Let’s see a Morris Dance! Who plays Robin Hood King Neptune sat there all alone, senses be sound, you will make music which bath to-day? As lonely as could be. Butcher tunes in it, and so give airs to your listeners, as is And he said, “Now who do you think would do And I? proper. But if your senses be not sound, you will Simkins To share my throne with me?” make music which hath no tune in it, and give Master Wilkins, your Grace, an actor of infinite And every fish, according to his wish, Baker yourself airs, and call it opera, which is properer. But dignity. At once went out to see! And I? for myself, give me a tune which a man may hum an he please, or whistle an he please, or step to an he Elizabeth At a nod From the god, Tailor please, and straightforward withal, not sideways or Well, where is he? All the Salmon and the Cod, And I? round the corner like a bumble-bee in a bottle-neck— And all the fish there be Simkins Simkins The Sturgeon and the Stickleback, Wilkins Madam, he comes. The Porpoise and the Conger Eel, You play the music. I know such a tune. One that long ago took root in my (Enter Wilkins, from river, a miserable object.) mind. I’ll uproot it. The Whitebait and the Octopus, The Shark, the Mullet, and the Smelt, Simkins Elizabeth Wilkins The Brill, Anchovy, Sprat, and Plaice. Is the masque musical? What’s this? A joke at my expense? The Whale, the Winkle, and the Whelk, Nay. Let it stay there, lest some of the soil come with The fish that coil and fish that fly, it. If you have an ear for fine music, listen to me. Wilkins (Ben enters.) The fish you boil and fish you fry, Yes. It hath parts in it for the drum, tabor, sackbut, 3 The Lobster in the lobster-shell, Jew’s harp, and voice. Of these, the drum sets the Duet. Wilkins and Simkins Wilkins The Sole, the Whiting, and the Jell- time, the sackbut sets the tune. No, madam, at mine. Yet I count the cost nothing Y-fish, and more than I can tell Wilkins if it please you. Whose names I cannot speak or spell Simkins I may be wrong, (To Ben.) In fact, all fish fishmongers sell, Will you give me the sackbut, to set the tune? But I long for a song But you shall pay for it. And all they do not sell as well With a tune that a man may march to! In short, all fishes that do dwell

Page 24 Page 17 Where Neptune bids them be, Court of Robin Hood, Tom the Piper, Friar Tuck, and Oak is haunted. I had the secret from my Trio and Chorus Away did swim All. Ho, a Morris Dance! grandfather. He guarded the passage for King To find for him Harry, who sometimes used it. Within there still Tailor A Mistress of the Sea! Wilkins hang the hunting horn and the The sun in the heaven is high! As your Grace commands. deerskin with antlers with which he sometimes No clouds do bespeckle the sky! King Neptune sat on his throne once more. (Exit.) raised the appearance of Herne the Hunter. It kept And a man and a maid On his throne once more sat he, gossips from the place, as it might do again. Do kiss in the shade When the fish came back from England’s shore Elizabeth And so shall my bottle and I! And clapped their fins with glee. I love the old tales of Eobin Hood. Bessie, do you Ben With a hey, and a ho, For they said, “We’ve seen the fairest Queen remember how the song gees Maid Marion sings? Why did King Harry want a secret passage? And a hey nonny no, That in the world can be!” A fig for the weather, say I! And Neptune saith, “ That’s Queen Elizabeth! Bessie Jill And she’s the Queen for me!” Yes, madam, I was reminded of it to-day. I know not but England’s a free country. Chorus For in summer or winter, Is it odd Bessie In autumn or spring, That the god Elizabeth And Harry was a free liver. Whatever betide me Told the Salmon and the Cod Let’s hear it. Whatever they bring, To publish this decree? With my bottle beside me The Sturgeon and the Stickleback, 13 Finale Tom I’m able to sing The Porpoise and the Conger Eel, Not to say a free lover. My hey nonny, hey nonny no! The Whitebait and the Octopus, Bessie 2 The Shark, the Mullet, and the Smelt, It is a tale of Robin Hood, Jill The Brill, Anchovy, Sprat, and Plaice, Of Tuck and Little John, Yet he was married in his time, they tell me. Simkins The Whale, the Winkle, and the Whelk, And all of those who followed him, The clouds they may come in the sky! The fish that coil and fish that fly, With his Maid Marion. Quartet The rain it may fall by-and-bye! The fish you boil and fish you fry, For she followed him And the water may drench The Lobster in the lobster-shell, Beneath the greenwood tree, Bessie, Jill, Tom, and Ben. The man and the wench A fig for cold water, say I! The Sole, the Whiting, and the Jell- As Love may follow thee! In England, merrie England, With a hey, and a ho, Y-fish, and more than I can tell Though Fortune frown, There lived a king upon a time And a hey nonny no, Whose names I cannot speak or spell Thou ‘It wear a crown To tell his name might be a crime Whatever the weather, I’m dry! In fact, all fish fishmongers sell, A king may never see! In England, merrie England! And all they do not sell as well With a hey, Jolly Robin! But he sometimes did doff his crown, All such as in the sea do dwell, And walk abroad like any clown, Chorus Did publish this decree, Then who would not be out of Court, In England, merrie England! For in summer or winter, That Beauteous Bess As Robin Hood befell, And if he met a pretty wench, In autumn or spring, etc . All men address To fare as Love may bid him fare, And maids are fairer than the French, As Mistress of the Sea! And bid all else farewell? In England, merrie England, Butcher If Love follow him He’d kiss her, as an Englishman The snow it may cover the ground! Elizabeth Beneath the greenwood tree, Should kiss a maiden when he can, The river with ice may be bound! ‘Tis a quaint conceit! As Love may follow thee, In England, merrie England! But when maidens grow old, Though Fortune frown, So let us sing, And love groweth cold, Wilkins Thou ‘It wear a crown God save the King My bottle and I shall be found! Anon I play Robin Hood in the Morris Dance; and A king may never see! Of England, merrie England! With a hey, and a ho, later I would provide for your delight a certain With a hey, Jolly Robin! With fal la lal, And a hey nonny no, Masque of St. George and the Dragon, in which I For bluff King Hal However the seasons come round! play St. George, and my friend hera the Dragon, Elizabeth Of England, merrie England! whom I beat unmercifully and finally slay Would queens could love as Marion did! Heigho! (Exeunt Tom and Ben, R. Bessie to Oak, with Jill) Chorus (indicating Ben) Enter Chorus of Men, with Simkins, the Butcher, For in summer or winter, …if it be your pleasure? and the Tailor, singing: In autumn or spring, etc . Essex Elizabeth Would I were Robin Hood if that were so! Enter Wilkins, with the Tinker and the BAKER. We’ll see it. Bring your May Queen now, with her Page 18 Page 23 CD2 Tom enters, bringing on Jill And I do know That being so ACT II. Ben Tom ‘Tis coveted by kings. Scene. A glade in Windsor Forest. “Herne’s Oak” And your witch? Madam, I ask a favour! I plead the cause But love hath wings Jill is discovered tending a small fire of sticks, over Of a poor sorely-stricken girl, whom folk And passeth by which hangs a cooking-pot. She listens to voices Tom Do call Jill-all-alone A king sometimes for such as I! 1 heard singing in the distance. She is to burn at sunset. I wonder why? (Jill comes from oak.) May Queen Chorus She is a witch! Concerted Piece. (heard in distance off.) Ben The month o’ May has come to-day, Look! Townspeople May Queen And who will wear a frown-a? Aye! Aye! A witch! She is a witch! A witch! By those words I accuse her For where’s the knave Tom A witch! A witch! Of drawing by her magic Who’ll not be merry? (to Jill) The love of faithful lovers We’ll dig his grave, How did you escape? Elizabeth Unto herself by witchcraft! With a derry down derry, Who speak against her? A down, a down, a down-a! Jill Essex By witchcraft- if I’m a witch! May Queen She had this piece of writing, Solo These Which I did find upon her Jill Ben Four worthy citizens of Windsor Town! Perhaps it is a love charm, A thing of evil purpose. Cat, cat, where have you been? So I thought we’ll take her back; ‘tis the Queen’s (The Butcher, Baker, Tinker, and Tailor advance.) (He hands Raleigh’s verses to Elizabeth) I’ve been to the Castle to look at the Queen service. Cat, cat, did she sit on a throne? (Takes Jill by the wrist.) Quartet (Enter Raleigh) Verily, yes, like a Jill-all-alone. We are four men of Windsor Tom A Butcher of Windsor, Elizabeth Cat, cat, what do you mean? The verse is an acrostic, If she confess herself a witch And a Baker of Windsor, A Queen is a woman, a woman a Queen! And its initial letters (Enter Bessie from oak.} And a Tinker of Windsor, Cat, cat, shall I sit on a throne? And a Tailor of Windsor. Do make the name of “Bessie,” Verily, yes, when a lover you own. And I do know the writing. Bessie And good meat I sell, (entering.) And good bread I bake, Chorus Essex Stay I She has saved my life! And my tin is good tin, (heard off stage). And good clothes I make! Why, ‘tis Sir Walter Raleigh’s! The Queen o’ May is crowned to-day Ben So we all ply a good trade in Windsor, With a crown, a crown, a crown-a! And cry Elizabeth By witchcraft? Then where’s the knave Who’ll buy? Who’ll buy? Who’ll buy, buy, buy Yes; is it not thy writing? Who’ll not be merry? From the four men of Windsor? And my name that is written? And join the stave, Bessie No, by her knowledge of a certain passage from the With ‘a derry down derry, Elizabeth Raleigh Castle which leads by a secret trap-door out of A down, a down, a down-a! (to Jill) The writing is my writing, Herne’s Oak there. She is no witch. (Jill listens, then removes tripod, treads out the fire, What say you, girl? And I give back the letter and hides in the hollow oak.) They say you are a witch! To her for whom I wrote it. Jill (He gives the paper to Bessie Throckmorton.) I prayed you keep in hiding, and have a care. (Enter Tom and Ben.) Jill A witch is wise: All Bessie Ben So if a witch I should know more than they; Bessie Throckmorton! What did you find at. the Castle? I have cares enough, without caring to see care come But if I am a witch I know much less, to others for want of a little understanding. Because I do not know I am a witch; Tom But I do know what I do know! Now, hark! Sentries on every gate to keep Raleigh out, and his Jill I know that love lady in. (to Tom) Is far above Well, it’s true enough. You know now why Herne’s All other pretty things:

Page 22 Page 19 Ensemble May pass her by Raleigh embraces Bessie, and exit. Queen So I may laugh, Elizabeth re-enters with Essex and others. As she Ral is passing up to her barge, she sees Bessie, who is My troth is plighted Elizabeth standing looking after her lover. Essex beckons a To this gentle maid; No! Thou shalt die! Man-at-arms, who goes to Bessie The Queen goes Tn secret I have paid (A Soldier seizes Jill.) up to the barge, and is standing on it looking back My past addresses! Go lodge this witch within the Castle walls; at Bessie, who is escorted up as the Morris Blow high, blew low! I’ll see her burn there! Thou, Sir Walter, Dancers form their group on “ Robin Hood’s Now coram publico , Go to thy country house and banishment. Wedding,” and the curtain falls I let the whole world know My heart is Bessie’s! (To Bessie) Go to the Castle, thou a prisoner! Bessie (Exit Elizabeth, in a rage, with Essex and Ladies Jill Though I’m affrighted, is dragged off by Soldier.) And sore afraid, Though dread of her tirade Duet. Raleigh and Bessie My soul possesses! Blow high, blow low! Raleigh However fortune blow, Be not affrighted! I’ll let the whole world go Sweet, be not afraid! For thy caresses! Although the Queen’s tirade Thy soul oppresses! Elizabeth Blow high, blow low, Now I am slighted However fortune blow, For another maid! I’ll let the whole world go Love’s like a falcon strayed For thy caresses! With broken jesses! Fly high, fly low, Bessie Wherever love may go, Though I’m affrighted, What lure can woman throw And sore afraid! For lost caresses! Though dread of her tirade My soul possesses! Chorus Blow high, blow low, In love united However fortune blow, They are not afraid! I’ll let the whole world go In secret has he paid For thy caresses! His past addresses! (As the lovers are parting, the Morris Dancers are Blow high, blow low, heard approaching. The Queen’s Fool runs across to However fortune blow, Raleigh and Bessie, and bids them listen to: He’ll let the whole world go For her caresses! The Song of the Morris Dancers.

Solom Jill If Love follow thee Jill Beneath the greenwood tree, I know that love Though Fortune frown, Is far above Thou’ll wear a crown All jewels that are seen; A king may never see! And I do know With a hey, Jolly Robin! That being so ‘Tis wanted by a Queen. The Morris Dancers enter to the refrain of their sony, But Love, I ween, led by Wilkins in the character of Robin Hood.

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