But I neither arrogate to myself the wisdom of imagining how this is to be peacefully brought about in the lapse of ages, nor hesitate to dissent from the intemperance of those who would cut the Gordian knot, like Alexander, with the sword, reckless if the same blow should sever the sacred bonds that consolidate the fabric of the Union. HENRY WM. HERBERT. THE CEDARS, September, 1st., 1855. CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTER I. THE FOREST 11 CHAPTER II. THE GOOD SERVICE 27 CHAPTER III. THE GUERDON OF GOOD SERVICE 39 CHAPTER IV. THE NORMAN LORDS 47 CHAPTER V. THE SERF'S QUARTER 58 CHAPTER VI. THE SAXON'S CONSTANCY 69 CHAPTER VII. THE SLAVE-GIRL'S SELF-DEVOTION 81 CHAPTER VIII. GUENDOLEN'S BOWER 91 CHAPTER IX. GUENDOLEN 100 CHAPTER X. THE LADY AND THE SLAVE 110 CHAPTER XI. THE LADY'S GAME 126 CHAPTER XII. THE DEPARTURE 136 CHAPTER XIII. THE PROGRESS 148 CHAPTER XIV. THE NEW HOME 159 CHAPTER XV. THE OLD HOME 166 CHAPTER XVI. THE ESCAPE 177 CHAPTER XVII. THE PURSUIT 187 CHAPTER XVIII. THE SANDS 198 CHAPTER XIX. THE SUPPLIANT 217 CHAPTER XX. THE LADY AND HER LOVER 230 CHAPTER XXI. THE ARREST 245 CHAPTER XXII. THE SHERIFF 260 CHAPTER XXIII. THE TRIAL 272 CHAPTER XXIV. THE ACQUITTAL 285 CHAPTER XXV. THE FALSE CHARGE AND THE TRUE 300 CHAPTER XXVI. WAGER OF BATTLE 310 CHAPTER XXVII. THE BRIDAL DAY 324 SHERWOOD FOREST; OR, WAGER OF BATTLE. CHAPTER I. THE FOREST. "He rode half a mile the way; He saw no light that came of day; Then came he to a river broad, Never man over such one rode; Within he saw a place of green, Such one had he never erst seen." EARLY METRICAL ROMAUNTS. GUY OF WARWICK.