the oaks, in orient light. At length the splendour was gradually shut out, as he entered a shadowy glen, overhung with every variety of underwood, and was soon lost among the deep umbrage.

CHAPTER VI.

A poor sequestered stag,

That from the hunter's aim had ta'en a hurt,
Did come to languish; and, indeed, my lord,
The wretched animal heaved forth such groans,
That their discharge did stretch his leathern coat
Almost to bursting; and the big round tears
Coursed one another down his innocent nose
In piteous chase.

Thou see'st we are not all alone unhappy;
This wide and universal theatre

Presents more woful pageants than the scene
Wherein we play.

As You Like It.

On the morning following that of the chase, a group was collected in one of the streets of Mansfield, discussing the events of the day, when their attention was suddenly arrested by

the blast of a horn, which was sounded in the direction of the palace. Shortly after, a score of foresters, attended by a few of the king's soldiers, and several of the armed followers of Sir Geoffrey de Marchmont, made their appearance; and having reached that part of the street in which the crowd stood, they formed a circle, which the foresters guarded with halberts, and the horn was again sounded. The principal personage, who wore the dress of the king's household, and was within the circle, mounted on a beautiful palfrey, held in his hand a scroll of parchment, from which he read the following proclamation :

"Whereas John, king of this realm, did yesterday hunt a royal hart within the forest of Sherwood; which said hart-royal, his majesty in all kindness for the sport it afforded both him and his nobles, allowed to escape free: And furthermore, whereas, after so long a chase, this royal hart proclaimed, hath the king's permission to return again into the forest of Sherwood, be it known to all men, of whatsoever condition, that should any one endeavour to prevent the return of the aforesaid hart-royal-proclaimed, he shall suffer the pain of doom: And

furthermore, should any one kill or maim the said royal hart proclaimed after its return, he shall also suffer the pain of death. Whereas, the king loving the lives of his subjects, would not wantonly bring them within the pale of punishment, he hath, in his usual clemency, ordained, that this proclamation be read at every town-cross, village, and hamlet within the shire; and whosoever shall be found in anywise molesting or driving the aforesaid hart-royal, after this proclamation has been made, shall suffer death."

The horn again sounded, and the party were about to move off, when the crowd, which by this time amounted to several hundreds, and had completely fenced in both the soldiers and foresters, commenced hooting and hissing, nor did they in anywise seem inclined to open their dense ranks to allow them to depart.

Those nearer the inner circle were prevented from escaping by those outside, who, with looks of defiance and clenched fists, seemed anxious to reach the soldiers, whose horses by this time began to plunge, and exhibit signs of alarm and restiveness, for the hissing and hooting increased.

"How are we to know this hart-royal," said one," from any other full-grown stag?"

By the king's having looked at him," rePity that, in his clemency, he had not put the same mark on him by which he distinguished Prince Arthur."

plied another ironically.

"Or that Wat Tyrrel had waited in the wood yesterday," added a third, "and feathered his shaft at another Norman."

"Or at any one of his slaves," said a fourth, "who are so ready to issue his proclamations. Down with them! down with them!"

Just at this instant a large stone struck the man who had read the proclamation, but by whom hurled could not be seen. This was the signal of attack, and the halberts which the foresters held were wrenched from them, and instantly broken to pieces. All was now confusion and shouting. Here might be seen five or six clinging round the legs of a horse, while as many more were pulling the soldier from his saddle; there, others were seen flying from the uplifted sword of a more fortunate horseman, who had succeeded in extricating himself from the mob. Some were armed with quarter-staffs and bludgeons, and there were a few provided