Only on pain of what we fairies call Death!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Death?

OBERON

Never to join our happy revels, Never to pa.s.s the gates of fairyland Again, but die like mortals. What that means We do not know--who knows?

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

If I could save them!-- I am only Shadow-of-a-Leaf!

OBERON

There is a King Beyond the seas. If he came home in time, All might be well. We fairies only catch Stray gleams, wandering shadows of things to come.

t.i.tANIA

Oh, if the King came home from the Crusade!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Why will he fight for graves beyond the sea?

OBERON

Our elfin couriers brought the news at dusk That Lion-Heart, while wandering home thro' Europe, In jet-black armour, like an errant knight, Despite the great red cross upon his shield, Was captured by some wicked prince and thrust Into a dungeon. Only a song, they say, Can break those prison-bars. There is a minstrel That loves his King. If he should roam the world Singing until from that dark tower he hears The King reply, the King would be set free.

t.i.tANIA

Only a song, only a minstrel?

OBERON

Ay; And Blondel is his name.

[_A long, low sound of wailing is heard in the distance. The fairies shudder and creep together._]

t.i.tANIA

Hark, what is that?

OBERON

The cry of the poor, the cry of the oppressed, The sound of women weeping for their children, The victims of the forest laws. The moan Of that dark world where mortals live and die Sweeps like an icy wind thro' fairyland.

And oh, it may grow bitterer yet, that sound!

'Twas Merlin's darkest prophecy that earth Should all be wrapped in smoke and fire, the woods Hewn down, the flowers discoloured and the sun Begrimed, until the rows of lifeless trees Against the greasy sunset seemed no more Than sooty smudges of an ogre's thumbs Upon the sweating forehead of a slave.

While, all night long, fed with the souls of men, And bodies, too, great forges blast and burn Till the great ogre's cauldrons brim with gold.

[_The wailing sound is heard again in the distance._]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

To be shut out for ever, only to hear Those cries! I am only Shadow-of-a-Leaf, the fool, I cannot face it! Is there no hope but this?

No hope for Robin and Maid Marian?

OBERON

If the great King comes home from the Crusade In time! If not,--there is another King Beyond the world, they say.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Death, that dark death!

To leave the sunlight and the flowers for ever!

I cannot bear it! Oh, I cannot tell them.

I'll wait--perhaps the great King will come home, If not--Oh, hark, a wandering minstrel's voice?

OBERON

Who is drawing hither? Listen, fairies, listen!

[_Song heard approaching thro' the wood._]

Knight on the narrow way, Where wouldst thou ride?

"Onward," I heard him say, "Love, to thy side!"

"Nay," sang a bird above; "Stay, for I see Death in the mask of love, Waiting for thee."

[_The song breaks off. Enter a MINSTREL, leading a great white steed. He pauses, confronted by the fairy host. The moonlight dazzles him._]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Minstrel, art thou, too, free of fairyland?

Where wouldst thou ride? What is thy name?

MINSTREL

My name Is Blondel.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Blondel!

THE FAIRIES

Blondel!