Alfred An Heroic Poem, in Twenty-Four Books. By Joseph Cottle: 4th ed. |
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 | Alfred |  |
Now they reach'd the hill—
The Danes, when both th' opposing armies stand
Wafting their mutual threats, like two huge mounts,
Neighbouring, around whose heads, the white mists sail,
And ever when th' aerial currents change,
From each to each, mov'd by fierce jealousy,
Their cloud artillery send. Alfred thus spake.
‘Subjects, behold the Danes! View yonder host,
‘And in them see the spoilers of your homes,
‘The murd'rers of your children and your sires,
‘The foes of peace, the wasters of the earth!
‘Now are your hearts your own!’ All clash their shields.
The Danes, when both th' opposing armies stand
Wafting their mutual threats, like two huge mounts,
Neighbouring, around whose heads, the white mists sail,
And ever when th' aerial currents change,
From each to each, mov'd by fierce jealousy,
Their cloud artillery send. Alfred thus spake.
‘Subjects, behold the Danes! View yonder host,
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‘The murd'rers of your children and your sires,
‘The foes of peace, the wasters of the earth!
‘Now are your hearts your own!’ All clash their shields.
| Alfred | |