Alfred An Heroic Poem, in Twenty-Four Books. By Joseph Cottle: 4th ed. |
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 | Alfred |  |
‘This do I know,’ cried Alfred, ‘but, in vain
‘The thought assails me. I am bent, and now
‘Prudence must govern what it might not teach,
‘What character would I assume, dost ask?
‘The Harper! for my fingers well can sweep
‘Its bold, or gentlest strings.’ The chief replied,
‘If thou indeed art fixed, no better name
‘May'st thou assume, for music has a charm
‘Melting all hearts. But then thy dress!—A thought
‘Darts through my mind. As yester-eve I roam'd
‘Far through this wood, near me I spied a hut,
‘Green as the leaves that shaded it, and half
‘Screen'd by the boughs. When first I saw its shape,
‘It seem'd to me that nothing likelier look'd
‘To simple cottage; and, as thus I thought,
‘My doubts were realized, whilst near at hand
‘There stood a man. I saw him, and would fain
‘Have enter'd on discourse.—Would'st thou desire
‘To hear my further tale?’ Alfred replied—
‘Speak on.’ When Oddune spake.
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‘Prudence must govern what it might not teach,
‘What character would I assume, dost ask?
‘The Harper! for my fingers well can sweep
‘Its bold, or gentlest strings.’ The chief replied,
‘If thou indeed art fixed, no better name
‘May'st thou assume, for music has a charm
‘Melting all hearts. But then thy dress!—A thought
‘Darts through my mind. As yester-eve I roam'd
‘Far through this wood, near me I spied a hut,
‘Green as the leaves that shaded it, and half
‘Screen'd by the boughs. When first I saw its shape,
‘It seem'd to me that nothing likelier look'd
‘To simple cottage; and, as thus I thought,
‘My doubts were realized, whilst near at hand
‘There stood a man. I saw him, and would fain
‘Have enter'd on discourse.—Would'st thou desire
‘To hear my further tale?’ Alfred replied—
‘Speak on.’ When Oddune spake.
| Alfred | |