Those around can scarce believe their ears, for
"Robin and his Marian are the sum and talk
Of all that breathe here in the green-wood walk."
Such is their love for each other. They are "The turtles of the
wood," "The billing pair." No one is more astonished than Robin
Hood, as he cries:
"I dare not trust the faith of mine own senses,
I fear mine eyes and ears: this is not Marian!
Nor am I Robin Hood! I pray you ask her,
Ask her, good shepherds, ask her all for me:
Or rather ask yourselves, if she be she,
Or I be I."
But Maid Marian only scolds the more, and at last goes away
leaving the others in sad bewilderment. Of course this was not
Maid Marian at all, but Mother Maudlin, the old witch, who had
taken her form in order to make mischief.
Meanwhile the real Maid Marian discovers that the venison has
been sent away to Mother Maudlin's. With tears in her eyes she
declares that she gave no such orders, and Scathlock is sent to
bring it back.
When Mother Maudlin comes to thank Maid Marian for her present,
she is told that no such present was ever intended, and so she in
anger curses the cook, casting spells upon him:
"The spit stand still, no broches turn
Before the fire, but let it burn.
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