 | Alfred |  |
46
SCENE III.
Eltruda, an Attendant.Attendant.
My gracious mistress,
Why to the breath of this untimely sky
Expose your health?
Eltruda.
Away—the health, the life
Of England is at stake: my Alfred fights—
Perhaps he bleeds: and I am lost for ever!
But is there none, no messenger return'd
From that dark scene of death?
Attendant.
No, madam, none.
Enter Emma.
Eltruda.
My kind hostess, thou hast an angel's voice,
Come raise my drooping spirits, charm my mind
With music's animating voice, and give
Some respite to my woes.
Emma
sings.
Restore, good heav'n, our virtuous king!
To chase this gloom that round us low'rs,
As winter flies before the spring,
Who spreads the smiling earth with flow'rs.
To chase this gloom that round us low'rs,
As winter flies before the spring,
Who spreads the smiling earth with flow'rs.
He comes! before his rising ray,
Despair and darkness fly away.
Despair and darkness fly away.
47
Thy song, sweet flatterer of hope, suspended
My affliction for a moment—but it returns.
Trumpets sound.
Ha! hear'st thou not—the trumpets distant voice—
It speaks aloud and shakes the echoing woods.
See, see, my Emma, what tidings it proclaims.
[Exit Emma.
Eltruda.
O my torn, tortur'd heart! What is the hour?
Attendant.
By yon faint light, that glimmering steals along
From east to north, I guess the morning near.
Eltruda.
Then all my hopes and fears suspended hang
On this dread moment's wing.
| Alfred | |