A Fancyfull Historie of That Most Notable & Fameous Outlaw Robyn Hood
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Act II, Scene II. The outlaw's camp in Barnsdale
Tuck enters briskly with Much in pursuit.
MUCH.
Stay, thou corpulent swine, where is the ten crowns thou owest me?
TUCK.
Hush, sirrah, and speak low an you please. My purse is sore afflicted.
MUCH.
Pray, doth it cough up golden bile?
TUCK.
Alas, no, it hath a wasting disease that eats its innards and leaves it spent.
MUCH.
Fie, ’tis a common complaint. Come now, when will you pay me?
TUCK.
In time, in good time. But, if thou wouldst be paid anon, why then, grant a mere loan of twenty shillings and I’ll pay thee straight.
MUCH.
What lunarly madness! Why should or would I lend thee twenty shillings?
TUCK.
My needs require it. I have debts to pay, and yours first of all.
MUCH.
Mine first, say you? Well, very well; I’ll loan ye twenty, if you pay me my ten anonce.
[Much hands over twenty shillings. ]
TUCK.
Much thanks, Much, say I. [Tuck gives back five shillings. ] And Much pays Much, too, as here you see.
MUCH.
I see but three, four, five.
TUCK.
’Tis better than none. Now I owe thee but five.
MUCH.
Nay, you’ll be true to your word, friar! Settle now as you promised.
TUCK.
Will you rob a robber, sirrah? What of my other debts?
MUCH.
I care not.
TUCK.
But ’tis your own companions that I owe.
MUCH.
I care not! I’ll have all you owe me now, as ere you promised!
TUCK.
You will have it all now, say you?
MUCH.
I will.
TUCK.
And nothing I say may stay you?
MUCH.
Less gab, more gold.
TUCK.
[In mock offense] Very well. Hum! Let it not be said I do not pay where I owe. Though you put me in straits, sir, here: five makes ten, sir. Call you now our business quit, sir, and so shall I!
MUCH.
I do sir!
TUCK.
Good day then, sir: And see when I shall ever borrow of thee again!
MUCH.
No sooner then I lend again, i’faith! I’ll keep my purse close and string tight when you are by; and so fare well!
[Much exits in a huff, leaving Tuck grinning with satisfaction. ]
TUCK.
He calls us quits and hath forgot his ten crowns; which likes me well. So doth his gold enrich my purse, and my opinion too; for if ever fellows call him Fool, his Defender shall I be, and say Nay, I swear, it profiteth a man to know him.
[Tuck begins to depart. ]
MUCH.
[Offstage] Ho, Friar Tuck!
TUCK.
Alack, the gull returns—I fear there’s calculation in it.
Much runs in, gesturing behind him.
MUCH.
Friar, mark who comes upon us. A most implausive procession as ere I’ve seen!
TUCK.
Why, who is it?
MUCH.
Only Falcon-bird the Sheriff—and a tether’d tassel too!
TUCK.
Tether’d, say you?
MUCH.
Proper roped at risk and wrist! As ever pledged to Robin Hood’s pursuit, so now he’s bound to be his follower.
Enter Robin, Lyttel, Greenleaf, Marian, Sabina and Falconberg, who is bound . . .
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE MEETS ROBIN HOOD! At last the classic tale of Robin Hood gets the telling it deserves: in the high Shakespearean style of Elizabethan drama. Here is England's greatest legend as England's greatest poet might have imagined it. The critics were convinced at the play's Chicago premiere: "Pursuing persuasive parallels, the author forges links between plucky Robin and rowdy Prince Hal, between rotund Friar Tuck and rascally Falstaff, between intrepid Rosalind and a resourceful Maid Marian" (Chicago Tribune). "Robyn Hood keeps you on your mental toes to follow the intricacies and delights of a Shakespearean script you've never heard before-an almost unimaginable experience for Bardophiles" (Plays International). After 400 years, the play that was meant to be has finally arrived. It's Shakespeare's style and Robin Hood's story together at last!
About the Author
Scott Lynch-Giddings is a Chicago-based actor who has performed in productions of Hamlet, Henry V, Midsummer Night's Dream, Julius Caesar, Richard III, Merry Wives of Windsor, Twelfth Night, Comedy of Errors and As You Like It among others. Plays from his own pen include Argonuts, a comic telling of Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece, and Louisa's Little Women, an adaptation of Alcott's famous novel.