Alfred An Heroic Poem, in Twenty-Four Books. By Joseph Cottle: 4th ed. |
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 | Alfred |  |
When, near his path, he saw a woodbine fair,
Exhaling fragrancy, that, intertwined,
Circled a deadly night-shade, then look'd down
Upon the pois'nous plant on which it lean'd,
Pure and immaculate. He stopp'd! He gazed!
Silent awhile, then cried, ‘Thou beauteous flower!
‘Thou art Alswitha, or an emblem true
‘Of her I love; for as thou gently lean'st
‘Upon yon venom'd plant, and yet remain'st
‘Spotless and dignified, Alswitha thus
‘Upon the Danes shall rest, a little space,
‘Conscious of her high worth, and looking down
‘Untainted on her foes. This is indeed
‘Heaven's work to calm my mind.’
Exhaling fragrancy, that, intertwined,
Circled a deadly night-shade, then look'd down
Upon the pois'nous plant on which it lean'd,
Pure and immaculate. He stopp'd! He gazed!
Silent awhile, then cried, ‘Thou beauteous flower!
‘Thou art Alswitha, or an emblem true
‘Of her I love; for as thou gently lean'st
‘Upon yon venom'd plant, and yet remain'st
‘Spotless and dignified, Alswitha thus
‘Upon the Danes shall rest, a little space,
‘Conscious of her high worth, and looking down
‘Untainted on her foes. This is indeed
‘Heaven's work to calm my mind.’
| Alfred | |