HYMN.

BEHOLD, the shepherd of the flock; he taketh care for his sheep; he leadeth them among the clear brooks; he guideth them to fresh pasture; if the young lambs are weary, he carrieth them in his arms; if they wander, he bringeth them back.

But who is the shepherd's Shepherd? Who taketh care for him? Who guideth him in the path he should go? And, if he wander, who shall bring him back?

God is the shepherd's Shepherd; He is the Shepherd over all; He taketh care for all; the whole earth is His fold; we are all His flocks; and every herb, and every green field, is the pasture which He hath prepared for us.

The mother loveth her little child; she bringeth it up on her knees; she nourisheth its body with food; she feedeth its mind with knowledge; if it is sick, she nurseth it, with tender love; she watcheth over it when asleep; she forgetteth it not, for a moment; she teacheth it how to be good; she rejoiceth, daily, in its growth.

But who is the Parent of the mother? Who nourisheth her with good things, and watcheth over her with tender love, and remembereth her, every moment? Whose arms are about her, to guard her from harm? And, if she is sick, who shall heal her?

God is the Parent of the mother; He is the Parent of all, for He created all. All the men, and all the women, who are alive in the wide world, are His children: He loveth all, He is good to all.

The king governeth his people; he hath a golden crown upon his head, and the royal sceptre is in his hand; he sitteth upon a throne, and sendeth forth his commands; his subjects fear before him; if they do well, he protecteth them from danger; and if they do evil, he punisheth them.

But who is the Sovereign of the king? Who commandeth him, what he must do? Whose hand is stretched out, to protect him from danger? And if he do evil, who shall punish him?

God is the Sovereign of the king; His crown is a crown of glory, and His throne is in heaven above. He is King of kings, and Lord of lords; if He bid us live, we live; if He bid us die, we die His dominion is over all worlds, and the light of His countenance is upon all His works.

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God is our Shepherd; therefore, we will follow Him: God is our Father; therefore, we will love Him: God is our King; therefore, we will obey Him.

SCENE The Isle of Athelney.

Alfred. How retired and quiet is every thing in this little spot! The river winds its silent waters round this retreat; and the tangled bushes of

* Alfred the Great, was a wise and good king of England, who was born, A. D. 849, and died, A. D. 900. His history is said to present "one of the most perfect examples, on record, of the able and patriotic monarch united with the virtuous man. He was so celebrated for his love of truth, that he was called "Alfred the truth-teller." Being obliged to fly from his kingdom, when it was conquered by the Danes, he concealed himself in obscure places; and, on one occasion, took shelter in the cottage of a swineherd, (or keeper of swine,) who, not knowing who he was, employed him in various menial offices. Among other things related of him, is that mentioned in this drama. The meekness, with which he bore the angry censures of his hostess, showed, that he was one of those to whom the Scripture refers, when it says, "he that ruleth his own spirit, is better than he that taketh a city." He was soon after restored to his throne, and did every thing in his power, to make his people happy. For a more extended notice of him, see the second volume of 'The Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties,' being volume xx. of the larger series of THE SCHOOL LIBRARY.' J. W. I.

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the thicket fence it in from the attack of an enemy. The bloody Danes have not yet pierced into this wild solitude. I believe I am safe from their pursuit. But I hope I shall find some inhabitants here; otherwise, I shall die of hunger. Ha! here is a narrow path through the wood; and I think I see the smoke of a cottage rising between the trees. I will bend my steps thither.

SCENE-Before the cottage. GUBBA coming forward. GANDELIN within.

Alfred. Good even to you, good man. Are you disposed to show hospitality to a poor traveller ?

Gubba. Why, truly, there are so many poor travellers, nowadays, that, if we entertain them all, we shall have nothing left for ourselves. However, come along to my wife, and we will see what can be done for you.

Wife, I am very weary; I have been chopping wood, all day.

Gandelin. You are always ready for your supper, but it is not ready for you, I assure you. The cakes will take an hour to bake, and the sun is yet high; it has not yet dipped behind the old barn. But who have you with you?

Alfred. Good mother, I am a stranger, and entreat you to afford me food and shelter. Good wife, if you

Gandelin. Good mother! Good wife, please, and welcome. But I do not love strangers; and the land has no reason to love them. It has never been a merry day for Old England, since strangers came into it.

Alfred. I am not a stranger in England, though I am a stranger here. I am a trueborn English

man.

Gubba. And do you hate those wicked Danes, that eat up our provisions, and burn our houses, and drive away our cattle?

Alfred. I do hate them.

Gandelin. Heartily! He does not speak heartily, husband.

Alfred. Heartily I hate them; most heartily. Gubba. Give me thy hand, then; thou art an honest fellow.

Alfred. I was with king Alfred, in the last battle he fought.

Gandelin. With king Alfred? Heaven bless

him!

Gubba. What is become of our good king? Alfred. Did you love him, then?

Gubba. Yes, as much as a poor man may love a king; and kneeled down and prayed for him, every night, that he might conquer those Danish wolves but it was not to be so.

Alfred. You could not love Alfred better than I did.

Gubba. But what is become of him?

Alfred. He is thought to be dead.

Gubba. Well, these are sad times; Heaven help us!

Come; you the brown loaf with us. I suppose you are too sharpset, to be nice.

shall be welcome to share

Gandelin. Aye, come with us; you shall be as welcome as a prince! But hark ye, husband;