Classic Poem

I READ " A lytell geste of Robyn Hode"
Within an ancient forest far withdrawn: —
The story rapt me in a wondrous mood,
And I outread the dawn.
There was a trembling light upon the page,
The meeting of the morning and the day —
The dewdrop shook not on the silent spray,
The world forgot its age —
The silent golden world, that morn in May.

The fever and the dust of this worn time
Passed like a dream from me, and left me free,
Musing on that antique dramatic rime
Beneath an old-world tree.
I looked and saw a merry company
Down a green avenue with laugh and song,
And little joyful noises come along;
Then died the tyranny
Of this grey world in me, with hoary wrong.

There saw I: — Robin with his fearless brow
And eye of frolic love; Maid Marian;
The moon-faced Tuck; and, sporting neath a bough,
John, Robin's master man.
Scarlet, and Much, and all the outlaw clan,
With polished horn and bow, in Lincoln green,
Moved ceaselessly between the leafy screen.
A natural freedom ran
Through every spirit on that sylvan scene.

Anon I heard their horns begin to blow —
Then, in despite of age and time, arose
A woodland song that, leaning on her bow,
Maid Marian thus did close.
" O mad, mad world! O happy life of ours!
Sing and be merry — evil is a thought
Which our own natural lives have brought to nought!
O happy, happy hours!
Who cares to fret and pine for what is not?"

The music still was murmuring in my brain
When I awoke from that sweet reverie,
List'ning to catch once more that unreal strain, —
Lo! how such pageants flee.
Idle and silent stood the forest walks —
Gone was that merry company — nought there,
Save the bird's song, broke on the tranquil air;
Such as from those grey stocks,
Long generations back, rose everywhere.