Cunning forebear, perhaps stole ring from rosy nymphs (6)

I believe the answer is:

dryads

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'nymphs' is the definition.
(dryads are tree nymphs in Greek myth)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for dryads that I've seen before include "Tree nymphs" , "Nymphs of the woods" , "spirits" , "Wood nymphs of legend" , "Tree-nymphs." .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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