though I am very willing to be charitable to this stranger, (it would be a sin to be otherwise,) yet there is no reason he should not do something to maintain himself. He looks strong and capable. Gubba. Why, that's true. What can you do, friend? Alfred. I am very willing to help you, in any thing you choose to set me about. It will please me best to earn my bread, before I eat it. Gubba. Let me see. Can you tie up fagots neatly? Alfred. I have not been used to it. I am afraid I should be awkward. Gubba. Can you thatch? blown off the cow-house. There is a piece Alfred. Alas, I cannot thatch. Gandelin. Ask him if he can weave rushes: we want some new baskets. Alfred. I have never learned. Gubba. Why, here's a fellow ! and yet he hath as many hands as his neighbors. Dame, can you employ him in the house? He might lay wood on the fire, and rub the tables. Gandelin. Let him watch these cakes, then ; I must go and milk the kine. Gubba. And I'll go and stack the wood, since supper is not ready. Gandelin. But pray observe, friend! do not let the cakes burn; turn them often on the hearth. Alfred. I shall observe your directions. ALFRED, alone. Alfred. For myself, I could bear it; but England! my bleeding country; for thee, my heart is wrung with bitter anguish! From the Humber to the Thames, the rivers are stained with blood. My brave soldiers cut to pieces. My poor people,—some massacred, others driven from their warm homes, stripped, abused, insulted; and I, whom Heaven appointed their shepherd, unable to rescue my defenceless flock from the ravenous jaws of these devourers! Gracious Heaven! if I am not worthy to save this land from the Danish sword, raise up some other hero, to fight with more success than I have done, and let me spend my life in this obscure cottage, in these servile offices. I shall be content, if England is happy. O! here come my blunt host and hostess. Enter GUBBA and GANDELIN. Gandelin. Help me down with the pail, husband. This new milk, with the cakes, will make an excellent supper. But, mercy on us! how they are burnt; black as my shoe; they have not once been turned you oaf! you lubber! you lazy loon! Alfred. Indeed, dame, I am sorry for it; but my mind was full of sad thoughts. Gubba. Come, wife, you must forgive him; perhaps he is in love. I remember when I was in love with thee Gandelin. You remember! Gubba. Yes, dame, I do remember it, though it is many a long year since; my mother was making a kettle of furmety* Gandelin. I pray thee, hold thy tongue, and let us eat our suppers. Alfred. How refreshing is this new milk, and this wholesome bread! Gubba. Eat heartily, friend. lodge him, Gandelin ? Where shall we Gandelin. We have but one bed, you know; but there is fresh straw in the barn. Alfred, (aside.) If I shall not lodge like a king, at least, I shall lodge like a soldier. Alas! how many of my poor soldiers are stretched on the bare ground! Gandelin. What noise do I hear? It is the trampling of horses. Good husband, go and see what is the matter. Alfred. Heaven forbid my misfortunes should bring destruction on this simple family! I would rather have perished in the wood. GUBBA returns, followed by ELLA, with his sword drawn. Gandelin. Mercy defend us, a sword! Gubba. The Danes! the Danes! O do not kill us! Ella, (kneeling.) My liege, my lord, my sovereign; have I found you? Alfred, (embracing him.) My brave Ella! Ella. I bring you good news, my sovereign; *A corrupt pronunciation of frumenty, which is food made of wheat, boiled in milk. — J. W. I. your troops, that were shut up in Kinwith Castle, made a desperate sally, and the Danes were slaughtered. The fierce Hubba* lies gasping on the plain. Alfred. Is it possible? Am I yet a king? Ella. Their famous standard, the Danish raven,† is taken; their troops are panic struck; the English soldiers call aloud for Alfred. Here is a letter, which will inform you of more particulars. (Gives a letter.) Gubba, (aside.) What will become of us! Ah, dame! that tongue of thine has undone us! Gandelin. O, my poor, dear husband! we shall all be hanged, that's certain. But who could have thought it was the King? Gubba. Why, Gandelin, do you see, we might have guessed he was born to be a king, or some such great man, because, you know, he was fit for nothing else. Alfred, (coming forward.) God be praised, for these tidings! Hope is sprung up out of the depths of despair. O, my friend! shall I again shine in arms, again fight at the head of my brave Englishmen, and lead them on to victory? Our friends shall now lift their heads again. Ella. Yes, you have many friends, who have long been obliged, like their master, to skulk in deserts and caves, and wander from cottage to cottage. When they hear you are alive, and in * The Danish general. — J. W. I. The standard of the Danes had a raven painted upon it. -J. W. I. arms again, they will leave their fastnesses, and flock to your standard. Alfred. I am impatient to meet them; my people shall be revenged. Gubba and Gandelin, (throwing themselves at the feet of ALFRED.) Oh! my lord! Gandelin. We hope your majesty will put us to a merciful death. Indeed, we did not know your majesty's grace. Gubba. If your majesty could but pardon my wife's tongue; she means no harm, poor woman! Alfred. Pardon you, good people! I not only pardon you, but thank you. You have afforded me protection, in my distress; and if ever I am seated again on the throne of England, my first care shall be to reward your hospitality. I am now going to protect you. Come my faithful Ella; to arms! to arms! My bosom burns, to face once more the haughty Dane; and here I vow to Heaven, that I will never sheathe the sword against these robbers, till either I lose my life in this just cause, or Till dove-like Peace return to England's shore, HYMN. COME, let us go into the thick shade, for it is the noon of the day, and the Summer sun beats hot upon our heads. |