In these forests, and with his company, Robin for many years reigned like an independent sovereign. At perpetual war with the King of England and all his subjects, (with the exception of the poor and needy, the desolate and oppressed, and those who stood in need of his protection,) he defied the power of law and government; an outlaw in those times having no protection, owed no allegiance, his hand was against every man, and every man's hand against him; The world was not his friend, nor the world's law. The deer with which the royal forests then abounded, afforded Robin and his companions an ample supply of food throughout the year. Their mode of life and domestic economy are more easily guessed at than described. Nevertheless, the poet has endeavoured to give us an outline in the following: The merry pranks he play'd would ask an age to tell, And the adventures strange that Robin Hood befel; When Mansfield many a time for Robin hath been laid, How he hath cousen'd them, that him would have betray'd: An hundred valiant men had this brave Robin Hood, Still ready at his call, that bowmen were right good, And of these archers brave, there was not any one But he could kill a deer, his swiftest speed upon, Which they did boil and roast, in many a mighty wood, Sharp hunger, the fine sauce to their more kingly food. Then taking them to rest, his merry men and he Slept many a summer's night under the greenwood tree. What oftentimes he took, he shar'd amongst the poor, From wealthy Abbot's chests, and churl's abundant store, He from the husband's bed no married woman wan, But to his mistress dear, his loved Marian, Was ever constant known, which wheresoe'er she came Was sovereign of the woods, chief lady of the game; Her clothes tuck'd to the knee, and dainty braided hair, With bow and quiver arm'd, she wander'd here and there Amongst the forests wild, Diana never knew Such pleasures, nor such harts as Mariana slew. Robin took away the goods of rich men only, never killing any person unless he was attacked: nor would he suffer a woman to be maltreated. Fordun, in the fourteenth century, calls him "that most celebrated robber;" and Major says, "I disapprove of the rapine of the man, but he was the most humane, and prince of all robbers." Robin Hood seems to have held bishops, abbots, priests, and monks, indeed all the clergy, in decided aversion; and this hostility was strongly impressed upon his men: Thyse Byshoppes and thyse Archbyshoppes, Ye shall them bete and bynde.