University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Alfred, Corin.
Corin,
kneeling.
My honor'd sovereign—

Alfred.
How is this! ha! what!
Discover'd by this peasant—Be it so:
The plain man is most loyal.

Corin.
England's wealth,
The pearly stores her circling seas contain,
Should never shake your Corin's faith—

Alfred.
But what
Alarms thee thus?

Corin.
My fears are for my king.
Some strangers, Sir—their habits speak them Danes—
Have found our isle. Look this way.

Alfred.
Be of courage.
Now, I perceive them. Thro the evening shade
Their armor gleams a faint and moving light.
Westward they turn, and strike into the path
That opens on this plain. Retire we, shepherd,
Behind yon dusky elm; from whence, unseen,
We may discern their numbers and their purpose.