Young as the dew...

You knew this one was coming, didn't you? My favorite Robin poem, my Reynolds poem. Here it is again, as irresistable as ever...

With coat of Lincoln-green,

and mantle too,

And horn of ivory mouth,

and buckle bright,

And arrows winged with peacock feathers light,

And trusty bow well gathered of the yew,

--Stands Robin Hood:

and near, with eyes of blue

Shining thro' dusk hair,

like the stars of night,

And habited in pretty forest plight,

--His green-wood beauty sits, young as the dew.

Oh gentle tressed girl! Maid Marian!

Are thine eyes bent upon the gallant game

That stray in the merry Sherwood? thy sweet fame

Can never die.

And thou, high man,

Would we might pledge thee with thy silver can

Of Rhenish in the woods of Nottingham

~Reynolds 1847

My favorite lines are the ones concerning Marian-

...and near, with eyes of blue

Shining thro' dusk hair,

like the stars of night,

And habited in pretty forest plight,

--His green-wood beauty sits,

young as the dew.

Such a beautiful word picture... I've looked many a time to this poem for inspiration...

More coming...