Marian quotes from The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Prince John

Was it worthwhile, coming with me from London to see what stout fellows our Nottingham friends are? Take Sir Guy. He's from London, one of our most renowned defenders of the realm.

Marian

Must I take him, your Highness?

Prince John

Why, you like him, don't you?

Marian

Well, he's a Norman, of course.

Prince John

Is that the only reason for liking him?

Marian

Isn't that reason enough for a royal ward...?

Prince John

Nay, I'll not force you, my lady. But he's our most powerful friend in these shires. And he's already in love with you. If I could promise him marriage to a royal ward, it might help my plans.

Marian

Perhaps when I know him better.

Prince John

Of course. You're a very wise young woman.

Prince John

Bring Sir Robin food! At once do you hear. Such impudence must support a mighty appetite.

True enough, your Highness. We Saxons have little to fatten on by the time your tax gatherers are through.

Prince John

Do you feel you are overtaxed?

Overtaxed, overworked and paid off with a knife, a club or a rope.

Marian

Why, you speak treason!

Fluently.

Bishop of the Black Canons

I'd advise you to curb that wagging tongue of yours!

It's a habit I haven't yet formed, your grace.

To them, this is heaven. Silks for rags. Kindness instead of riches. Limitless food instead of hunger. Why, they're actually happy!

Marian

Are they?

Aren't you even a little pleased to see them enjoying themselves?

Marian

I think it's revolting.

Ha. Your life's been very sheltered, hasn't it, Marian? Too sheltered perhaps. But if you could know these people as I know them, their infinite patience, loyalty, goodness...

To the tables, everybody, and stuff yourselves!

Marian

I'm afraid the company has spoiled my appetite.

Are you really interested in learning why I turned outlaw? Or are you afraid of the truth, or of me perhaps?

Marian

I am afraid of nothing, least of all you.

Marian

But you've taken Norman lives.

Yes, those that deserved it, cruel and unjust.

Marian

You're a strange man.

Strange? Because I can feel for beaten, helpless people?

Marian

No. You're strange because you want to do something about it. You're willing to defy Sir Guy, even Prince John himself, to risk your own life. And one of those men was a Norman!

Norman or Saxon, what's that matter? It's injustice I hate, not the Normans.

Marian

But it's lost you your rank, your lands. It's made you a hunted outlaw when you might have lived in comfort and security. What's your reward for all this?

Reward? Just don't understand do you?

Marian

I'm sorry. I do begin to see...a little...now.

You do? Then that's reward enough. [He kisses her hand gently]

Marian

He is different from anyone I've ever known. He's, well he's brave and he's reckless, and yet he's...gentle and kind. He's not brutal like...tell me, when you are in love, is it, well, is it hard to think of anybody but, but one person?

Bess

Yes, indeed my lady, and sometimes it's a bit of trouble sleeping.

Marian

I know, but it's a nice kind of not sleeping.

Bess

And it affects your appetite too. Not that I've noticed it's done that to you, except when he was in the dungeon waiting to be hanged.

Marian

And does it make you want to be with him all the time?

Bess

Yes, and when he's with you, your legs are as weak as water. Tell me, my lady. When he looks at you, do you feel a kind of prickly feeling like goosy pimples running all up and down your spine?...Then there's not a doubt of it.

Marian

Doubt of what?

That you're in love.

I couldn't help overhearing about that 'prickly feeling.' I'm very glad I did come.

Marian

That, that was a game. Now you've got to go at once.

Game, eh? Well, couldn't I join in? Of course, I probably wouldn't be as good at it as, uh, [he playfully pinches Bess' chin] this pretty young girl. I could do my best.

Marian

Bess, will you leave us? Please.

Now let's see, where does this game begin? Oh, I know. It's simple. We'll start where you are in love with me. You are, aren't you? Because I am with you. Terribly. That's why I came. I had to see you.

Marian

You must go at once and I don't love you.

Oh! You sure?

Marian

Yes.

Very well then, I'll go. This is rather unfriendly of you, exposing me to my enemies like this....Goodbye my lady.

Marian

Robin!

Yes?

Marian

Please.

Then you do love me, don't you? Don't you?

Marian

You know I do.

Well, that's different. [they kiss]

Marian

You know you're very impudent.

Me?

Marian

You are. And when my real guardian King Richard finds out about your being in love with me...

I know, he'll make me court jester.

Marian

He won't. He'll stick your funny head on London's Gate.

A very fine decoration it will be, my bold Norman beauty.

Marian

I'm not bold.

But you're a Norman...And you are a beauty. You are the most beautiful...

Marian

And you're leaving here at once. Please darling! Every minute you're here, you're in danger.

I know...Marian, will you come with me?

Marian

To Sherwood? [He nods]

I've nothing to offer you but a life of hardship and danger. But we'd be together.

Marian

But, Robin, dear.

I know. It's asking a lot. But who knows how long it will be before Richard returns. Friar Tuck would marry us. Will you?

Marian

Because I love you Robin, I'd come. Even the danger would mean nothing if you were with me.

Then you will.

Marian

No...I could help much more by watching for treachery here and leaving you free to protect Richard's people until he returns. Now do you see why you have to go back to your men alone? [He nods] Go now quickly, dearest.

Sir Guy

Not only has she consorted with this Saxon rebel, found guilty of outlawry, theft, murder, abduction, and high treason, but she has betrayed her own Norman people. Are you not ashamed my Lady Marian?

Marian

Yes, I am, bitterly, but it's the shame that I'm a Norman, after seeing the things my fellow countrymen have done to England. At first, I wouldn't believe. Because I was a Norman, I wouldn't let myself believe that the horrors you inflicted on the Saxons were just and right. I know now why you tried so hard to kill this outlaw whom you despise. It's because he was the one man in England who protected the helpless against a lot of beasts who were drunk on human blood. And now you intend to murder your own brother.

Prince John

You'll be sorry you interfered.

Marian

Sorry? I'd do it again if you killed me for it.

Prince John

A prophetic speech, my lady, for that is exactly what is going to happen to you.

Marian

You wouldn't dare. I'm the royal ward of King Richard and no one but the King himself has the right to condemn me to death.

Prince John

You are quite right, my dear. And it shall be a King. I will order your execution for high treason exactly forty-eight hours from now. Take her away.

King Richard

And what about you Robin?

My sword is yours, Sire, now and always.

King Richard

Is there nothing England's King can grant the outlaw who showed him his duty to his country?

Yes, your majesty. A pardon for the men of Sherwood.

King Richard

Granted with all my heart. [Cheers] But is there nothing for yourself?

There's but one thing else, Sire.

King Richard

And do you too wish...?

Marian

More than anything in the world, Sire.

King Richard

Kneel Robin Hood. [Robin kneels] Arise Baron of Locksley, Earl of Sherwood and Nottingham, and Lord of all the lands and manors appertaining thereto. [Robin rises] My first command to you, my Lord Earl, is to take in marriage the hand of the Lady Marian. What say you to that, Baron of Locksley?

May I obey all your commands with equal pleasure, Sire!