Page images
PDF
EPUB

it has not yet dipped behind the old barn. But who have you with you, I

trów ?

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

Gandelin. Good mother, quotha! Good wife, if you 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 true-born Englishman.

Gubba. And do you hate those wicked Danes, that eat us up, 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.

1

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 shall be welcome to share the brown loaf with

us; I suppose you are too sharp set to be nice.

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

Gubba. Let me see. Can you tie up faggots neatly?

Alfred. I have not been used to it. I am afraid I should be aukward. Gubba. Can you thatch? There is a piece blown off the cow-house. Alfred. Alas! I cannot thatch.

[blocks in formation]

Gandelin. Ask him if he can weave rushes we want some new baskets. Alfred. I have never learned. Gubba. Can you stack hay? Alfred. No.

Gubba. Why, here's a fellow! and yet he hath as many pair of hands as his neighbours. 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 direc

tions.

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

[ocr errors]

blood. 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.

My brave soldiers cut to

Enter GUBBA and GANDelin.

[ocr errors]

Gandelin. Help me down with the pail, husband. This new milk, with

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »