Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/235





LONG time ago a party of outlaws made their home under the spreading trees of a grand old forest. There they lived as free and as happy as Robin Hood and his merry men. These outlaws never attacked and plundered any one, however, not even the rich and powerful, as Robin Hood sometimes did. They were all brave and noble gentlemen, and their leader was rightfully a famous Duke. But he had a pertidious and selfish brother, who had usurped his power, and driven him from his dominions. So he came with a part of his followers, to dwell in the forest.

It was no mean palace in which to keep the state of a duke,this glorious old forest of Arden. The sunlight floated in through spacious arches formed by intertwining boughs; the soft grass carpeted it everywhere; old moss-covered rocks served for couches, on which the courtiers lounged while they talked of art, of science, and