Robin and his merry men : Lived just like the birds; They had
almost as many tracks as thoughts, : And whistles and songs as
words. Up they were with the earliest sign Of the sun's up-
looking eye; But not an archer breakfasted Till he twinkled from
the sky. All the morning they were wont To fly their grey-goose
quills At butts, or wands, or trees, or twigs, Till theirs was
the skill of skills. With swords too they played lustily, And at
quarter-staff; Many a hit would have made some cry, Which only
made them laugh. The horn was then their dinner-bell; When like
princes of the wood, Under the glimmering summer trees, Pure
venison was their food. Pure venison and a little wine, Except
when the skies were rough; Or when they had a feasting day; For
their blood was wine enough. And story then, and joke, and song,
And Harry's harp went round; And sometimes they'd get up and
dance, For pleasure of the sound. Tingle, tangle! said the harp,
As they footed in and out: Good lord! it was a sight to see
Their feathers fl