"It is true," said the Knight, "that I have heard the songs of many countries, warbled by beauty to the accompanying sounds of divers instruments, from Spain to Persia, from the Andalusian guitar to the Turkish lute. But fear me not. I am no supercilious critic. Thy modesty hides merit. I will be bound now that thy performance will exceed thy promise."
"But is there no danger of attracting wandering savages, and so being taken prisoners, or shot with their arrows?"
"The danger of being treated as enemies is less, for what Indian would suspect such of going singing through the woods?"
"Then here is my song," said Arundel, "but I shall look for a like complaisance on thy part."
"Who loves the greenwood cool and sweet,
O! let him come with me!
No harsher sound his ears shall greet,
Than songs of birds so free;
No sight less fair his eyes shall view,
Than trees, and ferns, and flowers,