Alfred An Heroic Poem, in Twenty-Four Books. By Joseph Cottle: 4th ed. |
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 | Alfred |  |
The man I saw,
‘He was an aged woodman, apt to dwell,
‘Haply too much, on tales of other times,
‘Fond of his brook, his forest, and his home,
‘Yet, not obtrusive, whilst his words declar'd
‘The thoughtful rustic. Hoary were his locks,
‘And flowing, and the language of his eye
‘So mild, that it was plain his wants were few,
‘And that his spirit with the world had borne
‘Small intercourse. But what will please thee most,
‘I judg'd him wise enough—to look beyond
‘This scene of shadows, and to build his hopes
‘Like wisdom's sons,—on treasures in the skies—
‘Miss'd by so many Sages.—When he first
‘Glimps'd my approach, his fears were roused. He sped
‘Fast to his cot, and, to intimidate,
‘In valiant guise display'd the hostile front.
‘'Twill make thee smile, when I declare my tale.
‘He stood against the door-post, and upraised,
‘Weak in his trembling hand, a rusty sword,
‘And seem'd to bid defiance; then I saw,
‘Within the hut, a woman, like himself,
‘Laden with years, and she too had a staff,
‘Which from the ground she raised, as she would aid
‘Her bolder husband. Instantly I stretch'd
‘This hand to greet them: first the old man frown'd,
‘Then, on the earth his doughty weapon cast,
‘And forward came to give me the true grasp
‘Of friendly welcome. There, to my surprise,
‘Beside his chimney hearth I saw a harp;
‘That which thou needest. If thou yet resolve
‘To act the minstrel's part, we there will haste
‘And the old man, haply, if grace thou find,
‘Will lend thee this his harp.’ The king replied,
‘Good tidings these, which augur well I judge
‘Let us depart.’ Now both together seek
‘The distant woodman.
‘He was an aged woodman, apt to dwell,
‘Haply too much, on tales of other times,
‘Fond of his brook, his forest, and his home,
‘Yet, not obtrusive, whilst his words declar'd
‘The thoughtful rustic. Hoary were his locks,
‘And flowing, and the language of his eye
‘So mild, that it was plain his wants were few,
‘And that his spirit with the world had borne
‘Small intercourse. But what will please thee most,
‘I judg'd him wise enough—to look beyond
‘This scene of shadows, and to build his hopes
‘Like wisdom's sons,—on treasures in the skies—
‘Miss'd by so many Sages.—When he first
‘Glimps'd my approach, his fears were roused. He sped
‘Fast to his cot, and, to intimidate,
‘In valiant guise display'd the hostile front.
202
‘He stood against the door-post, and upraised,
‘Weak in his trembling hand, a rusty sword,
‘And seem'd to bid defiance; then I saw,
‘Within the hut, a woman, like himself,
‘Laden with years, and she too had a staff,
‘Which from the ground she raised, as she would aid
‘Her bolder husband. Instantly I stretch'd
‘This hand to greet them: first the old man frown'd,
‘Then, on the earth his doughty weapon cast,
‘And forward came to give me the true grasp
‘Of friendly welcome. There, to my surprise,
‘Beside his chimney hearth I saw a harp;
‘That which thou needest. If thou yet resolve
‘To act the minstrel's part, we there will haste
‘And the old man, haply, if grace thou find,
‘Will lend thee this his harp.’ The king replied,
‘Good tidings these, which augur well I judge
‘Let us depart.’ Now both together seek
‘The distant woodman.
| Alfred | |