then,« said Robin, »will again honour with your presence one
of Robin Hood's places of rendezvous, the venison shall not be lacking; and a
stoup of ale, and it may be a cup of reasonably good wine, to relish it withal.«
    The Outlaw accordingly led the way, followed by the buxom Monarch, more
happy, probably, in this chance meeting with Robin Hood and his foresters, than
he would have been in again assuming his royal state, and presiding over a
splendid circle of peers and nobles. Novelty in society and adventure were the
zest of life to Richard Coeur-de-Lion, and it had its highest relish when
enhanced by dangers encountered and surmounted. In the lion-hearted King, the
brilliant, but useless character, of a knight of romance was in a great measure
realised and revived; and the personal glory which he acquired by his own deeds
of arms, was far more dear to his excited imagination than that which a course
of policy and wisdom would have spread around his government. Accordingly, his
reign was like the course of a brilliant and rapid meteor, which shoots along
the face of heaven, shedding around an unnecessary and portentous light, which
is instantly swallowed up by universal darkness; his feats of chivalry
furnishing themes for bards and minstrels, but affording none of those solid
benefits to his country on which history loves to pause, and hold up as an
example to posterity. But in his present company Richard showed to the greatest
imaginable advantage. He was gay, good-humoured, and fond of manhood in every
rank of life.
    Beneath a huge oak tree the silvan repast was hastily prepared for the King
of England, surrounded by men, outlaws to his government, but who now formed his
court and his guard. As the flagon went round, the rough foresters soon lost
their awe for the presence of Majesty. The song and the jest were exchanged -
the stories of former deeds were told with advantage; and at length, and while
boasting of their successful infraction of the laws, no one recollected they
were speaking in presence of their natural guardian. The merry King, nothing
heeding his dignity any more than his company, laughed, quaffed, and jested
among the jolly band. The natural and rough sense of Robin Hood led him to be
desirous that the scene should be closed ere anything should occur to disturb
its harmony, the more especially that he observed Ivanhoe's brow clouded with
anxiety. »We are honoured,« he said to Ivanhoe apart, »by the presence of our
gallant Sovereign;