Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/The Forester

The Forester.

"Forester! leave thy woodland range, And hie thee hence with me;For brighter scenes and pleasures strange, Forsake thy greenwood tree.Come, gather thy cloak above the knee, And take thy tall staff down,I'll show thee what delights they be That dwell in tower and town."

"Nay, stranger, check thy bright bay steed, To sojourn with me here,And turn him forth at large to feed, Amongst these dappled deer:And thou, while summer skies are clear, Within my greenwood bower,Shalt scorn the pleasures once so dear, That dwell in town and tower."

"Well may I find a better home, My steed a warmer stall;I know full many a lordly dome, Full many a palace-hall:Where stately rows of columns tall, The fretted roof sustain,Then, forester, yield thee to my call, And follow me o'er the plain."

"Doth lofty roof delight thine eye, Or stately pillar please?Look, stranger, at yon azure sky, And pillars such as these—Where, wreathing round majestic trees, The verdant ivy clings;The pillared roofs the peasant sees Are fit to shelter kings.

"Stranger, the woodman's frugal fare No sickly riots stain;Nor ever hautboy's artful air Could match yon throstle's strain;And, if the stores of ample gain, Thy useful avarice crave,Go, stranger, teach the ruddy grain O'er yonder wastes to wave.

"Falsehood in beauty lies concealed, Guilt haunts the deadly fight:Here woods a harmless warfare yield, And maids their true love plight—Such simple joys of rustic wight, To thee 'twere vain to tell;But heavily fall the shades of night— Now, stranger, fare thee well."