I like those kinds of colors.
She likes those sorts of hats.
This kind, those kinds.

This sort, those sorts.

151. Common Errors Corrected

153. DRAMATIZATION

Read the following scene from "Robin Hood."
The Baptism of Little John

ROBIN HOOD

Characters:

THE STRANGER, LITTLE JOHN

WILLIAM STUTLY

Other Members of Robin Hood's Band

The scene is the forest. Toward the front of the stage is an open space. Robin Hood and the Stranger are discovered walking on a narrow forest path toward each other. They meet, but neither will give way.

Robin Hood: (Trying to thrust the Stranger out of the way) Back, stranger! 'Tis Robin that makes the command. This instant, back! Out of my way!

I'm bold Robin Hood; I'll not be withstood!

I'll shew you right Nottingham-play!

He draws an arrow from his quiver.

The Stranger:

Thou talk'st like a coward, a coward, I trow,

Well arm'd with a long bow you stand,

To shoot at my breast, while I, I protest,
Have naught but a staff in my hand.

Robin Hood:

The name of a coward, O stranger, I scorn,
Wherefore my long bow I'll lay by,
And now, for thy sake, a staff will I take
The truth of thy manhood to try.

While speaking, he steps to the thicket near by, and chooses a staff. Then, running back, he speaks merrily:

Lo! see my staff is lusty and tough,
Now here on the path we will play;
Whoever falls down, shall lose all renown
Of the battle, and so we'll away.

The Stranger:

With all my whole heart, O Robin the bold,

I scorn in the least to give out;

Come, hasten-fall to 't, without more dispute

I'll lay you right low, never doubt.

They fight; Robin delivers a great blow, the Stranger never flinches; but with his return stroke lays Robin low.

The Stranger: (Laughing)

I prithee, good fellow, where art thou now,

With all thy boasting and pride?

Up quick, before any one passes this way,
Run into the forest and hide!

Robin Hood: (Slowly recovering, he gradually pulls him-
self up, and looks with frank admiration at the Stranger)
I needs must acknowledge thou art a brave soul,
With thee I'll no longer contend;

For needs must I say, thou hast got the day;
Our battle shall be at an end.

The Stranger, who has stepped back a short distance, listens with open astonishment to Robin, then steps toward him, but suddenly halts as Robin winds a loud blast on his horn. Immediately, from all sides, Robin's stout bowmen rush in, clothed in green and bearing long bows.

They surround Robin, look with amazement at his plight, and cast angry glances at the Stranger, who stands transfixed with wonder.

William Stutly: (Excitedly)

O what's the matter, good master, O tell,
Thy plight it is awful, I trow.

Robin Hood:

No matter, my Willie; the lad that you see,
In fighting hath laid me low.

William Stutly: (Rushing at the Stranger)

He shall not go scath-free, by my faith, not he!
The dust of the earth he shall wear!

All the bowmen rush upon the Stranger, who makes ready to resist.

Robin Hood: (To his band)

Hold, men, touch him not, let go, I command!

He is a stout fellow; forbear!

(Robin approaches the Stranger and offers his hand)

There's no one shall wrong thee, friend, be not afraid;
These bowmen upon me do wait;

There's three score and nine; if thou wilt be mine,
Thou shalt have my livery straight.

The Stranger: (Grasping Robin Hood's hand)
O here is my hand! I'll join your bold band
And serve you with all my whole heart;
You'll find I'll be true to men such as you;
Ne'er doubt me for I'll play my part.

Robin Hood:

I'll give you accoutrements fit for a man.
Look up, jolly blade, never fear;
I'll teach you also the use of the bow,
To shoot at the fat fallow deer.

The Stranger:

O your life is so free! 'tis the one life for me,
For thee I'll leave kindred and home,

My name is John Little, a man of good mettle
With thee in the greenwood to roam.

William Stutly:

Thy name shall be altered; John Little, no more,
And I will thy god-father be.

(To the others)

Prepare now a feast and none of the least,

For we will be merry, pardee.

Some of the men run off, but soon return with food and flagons of wine. They spread a feast on the green. Others form a half-circle about the Stranger; Robin stands on one side, and Stutly on the other, officiating at the christening.

William Stutly: (Pours from his flagon on the Stranger's head as he speaks:

This infant was called John Little, you know,

Which name shall be changed anon;

The words we'll transpose, wherever he goes,
His name shall be called Little John.

The Stranger:

'Tis true, my good masters, I'm but seven feet high,
And, maybe, an ell in the waist;

I'm little indeed and a new name I need,

So Little John's just to my taste.

They all shout and laugh approval and drink his health.

Robin Hood: (Presenting him with a curious long bow)

Thou shalt be an archer as well as the best,

And range in the greenwood with us;
Where we'll not want gold nor silver, behold,
While bishops have aught in their purse.

We live here like squires or lords of renown,

Each one of us is a free lance.

Come, drink his good health, and wish him much wealth, And finish the day with a dance.

They all drink the health of Little John and join in a merry woodland dance.

-S. E. Simons and C. I. Orr

DRAMATIZATION

How many characters are there in this scene? Select the part you would like to act and learn one speech. Every member of the class should try for a part by delivering his selected speech as he thinks it should be delivered. The class should select the best actor for each part.

A committee may study the setting of the scene and arrange a stage in the front of the room. Use anything at hand that will serve.

The scene when properly practiced may be given before several classes in the assembly hall. The lack of proper stage properties will not be noticed if the acting is good.

Exercise. It is interesting to write your own play. To do this it will be necessary to study the form in which a play is written.

Examine the scene from "Robin Hood." Notice that: 1. There are no quotation marks.

2. A colon follows the speaker's name.

3. Gestures and positions are placed after the speaker's name in parentheses.