IVANHOE.
CHAPTER I.
Thus commun'd these; while to their lowly dome,
The full-fed swine returned with evening home;
Compelled, reluctant, to the several sties,
With din obstreperous, and ungrateful cries.
Pope's Odyssey.
In that pleasant district of merry England which
is watered by the river Don, there extended in ancient times a large forest, covering the greater part
of the beautiful hills and vallies which lie between
Sheffield and the pleasant town of Doncaster.
The remains of this extensive wood are still to be
seen at the noble seats of Wentworth, of Warncliffe Park, and around Rotherham. Here haunted of yore the fabulous Dragon of Wantley; here
were fought many of the most desperate battles
