Alfred An Heroic Poem, in Twenty-Four Books. By Joseph Cottle: 4th ed. |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. | BOOK XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
 | Alfred |  |
228
BOOK XV.
ARGUMENT.
Alfred's visit to the Danish camp.—Scene, the Castle. Present, Ivar and Hubba, Guthrum enters.
‘HUBBA, restrain thy wrath!’ Ivar exclaim'd,
‘Nor thus indulge insatiate thirst of blood.
‘Thy words are frantic! Thou dost let revenge
‘All other thoughts absorb. Ere yet too late,
‘And ruin close what madness first began,
‘Curb thy proud spirit!’ Hubba thus replied.
‘Tho' older and entitled to receive
‘Respect from me, thy brother, yet this hour
‘Laughs at all duties. Let the man revolve
‘On niceties of right and wrong, who lolls
‘On languor's pillow, and hath never felt
‘The wrongs I feel. Is Hubba not a man?
‘A Prince? and owns he not a character,
‘Freeborn and prizing courage more than life?
‘Rememb'rest thou thy father? how he scorn'd
‘The dastard's spirit? what he bore to gain
‘The hero's name? and with what flood-like wrath
‘Whelm'd each presumptuous foe? Shall I, his son,
‘Of him forgetful, see another's sword
‘Hang over me, and let the greedy hour
‘Of vengeance sleep?’
‘Nor thus indulge insatiate thirst of blood.
‘Thy words are frantic! Thou dost let revenge
‘All other thoughts absorb. Ere yet too late,
‘And ruin close what madness first began,
‘Curb thy proud spirit!’ Hubba thus replied.
‘Tho' older and entitled to receive
‘Respect from me, thy brother, yet this hour
‘Laughs at all duties. Let the man revolve
‘On niceties of right and wrong, who lolls
‘On languor's pillow, and hath never felt
‘The wrongs I feel. Is Hubba not a man?
‘A Prince? and owns he not a character,
‘Freeborn and prizing courage more than life?
‘Rememb'rest thou thy father? how he scorn'd
‘The dastard's spirit? what he bore to gain
‘The hero's name? and with what flood-like wrath
‘Whelm'd each presumptuous foe? Shall I, his son,
‘Of him forgetful, see another's sword
‘Hang over me, and let the greedy hour
‘Of vengeance sleep?’
229
‘Yes!’ Ivar answered ‘Sleep!
‘Forever sleep! My mind misgives itself!
‘I see this kindling spirit, and suspect
‘All is not right. Thou tell'st me that this isle
‘Stoops to me; that the vanquished Saxons flee
‘On every side: yet, Hubba! I would learn,
‘Why, conquering, unresisted, we should find,
‘Soon as I reach'd this isle,—Denmark's proud fleet
‘Assail'd, and burnt!—To my unquiet mind,
‘It ill forebodeth; and I deem our state,
‘Spite of thy words, not safe. We have a foe,
‘Wary, and with mysterious plottings fill'd;
‘Therefore more dreaded. Dost thou never hope
‘To reach thy native country, and receive
‘Some favour'd fair, the fruit of all thy toil?
‘Check then thy wrath! It is a dragon fierce,
‘That will o'ercome thee, if thou yet disdain
‘These warning words.—‘I see most manifest
‘We ne'er shall crown our conquests with this isle,
‘If discord visit us. Ours must be zeal,
‘United zeal, and to one point alone
‘Our aims all turn'd—the death of him we dread,—
‘Alfred! our one unconquer'd foe! the man
‘Who keeps our swords at bay, and while unseen
‘Laughs us to scorn; yet o'er his head now hangs
‘Certain destruction. Hubba, mark my words.
‘If we indulge dissensions, and divide
‘That spirit which alone can win the land,
‘How stand we then?—dishearten'd, and the prey
‘Of foes implacable. But I would hope,
‘Thy mind too brave to pore on selfish wrongs,
‘Heedless of these our people. Should we fail—
‘Our duty to perform, in private broils
‘Forget the common cause, what will await
‘Thy father's warriors? and, as brave a host
‘As ever hurl'd the lance!’
‘Forever sleep! My mind misgives itself!
‘I see this kindling spirit, and suspect
‘All is not right. Thou tell'st me that this isle
‘Stoops to me; that the vanquished Saxons flee
‘On every side: yet, Hubba! I would learn,
‘Why, conquering, unresisted, we should find,
‘Soon as I reach'd this isle,—Denmark's proud fleet
‘Assail'd, and burnt!—To my unquiet mind,
‘It ill forebodeth; and I deem our state,
‘Spite of thy words, not safe. We have a foe,
‘Wary, and with mysterious plottings fill'd;
‘Therefore more dreaded. Dost thou never hope
‘To reach thy native country, and receive
‘Some favour'd fair, the fruit of all thy toil?
‘Check then thy wrath! It is a dragon fierce,
‘That will o'ercome thee, if thou yet disdain
‘These warning words.—‘I see most manifest
‘We ne'er shall crown our conquests with this isle,
‘If discord visit us. Ours must be zeal,
‘United zeal, and to one point alone
‘Our aims all turn'd—the death of him we dread,—
‘Alfred! our one unconquer'd foe! the man
‘Who keeps our swords at bay, and while unseen
‘Laughs us to scorn; yet o'er his head now hangs
‘Certain destruction. Hubba, mark my words.
‘If we indulge dissensions, and divide
‘That spirit which alone can win the land,
‘How stand we then?—dishearten'd, and the prey
‘Of foes implacable. But I would hope,
‘Thy mind too brave to pore on selfish wrongs,
‘Heedless of these our people. Should we fail—
‘Our duty to perform, in private broils
‘Forget the common cause, what will await
‘Thy father's warriors? and, as brave a host
‘As ever hurl'd the lance!’
230
Hubba replied,
‘Thy words I hear, and when I Guthrum meet,
‘My deeds shall answer thee. The time is past!
‘Why stays he? Never long'd I more to try
‘My might in battle, than I now desire
‘To measure swords with Guthrum.’—What that noise?’
Ivar exclaim'd, uprising, ‘to mine ear,
‘Melodious music.’ One drew near and said,
‘A Saxon harper, crazed, who here doth roam.’
‘Thy words I hear, and when I Guthrum meet,
‘My deeds shall answer thee. The time is past!
‘Why stays he? Never long'd I more to try
‘My might in battle, than I now desire
‘To measure swords with Guthrum.’—What that noise?’
Ivar exclaim'd, uprising, ‘to mine ear,
‘Melodious music.’ One drew near and said,
‘A Saxon harper, crazed, who here doth roam.’
‘A harper! and a Saxon! Bid him in!’
Cried Ivar. In the hall then Alfred came!
He stood before the Danes, who sternly eyed
The bending minstrel, when the chieftain cried,
‘Saxon! how cam'st thou here? What antidote
‘Hast thou against our swords?’ The king replied,
Cried Ivar. In the hall then Alfred came!
He stood before the Danes, who sternly eyed
The bending minstrel, when the chieftain cried,
‘Saxon! how cam'st thou here? What antidote
‘Hast thou against our swords?’ The king replied,
‘When the black raven caws, and in the air
‘Witches and wand'ring sprites their revels keep,
‘Loud laughing, with this instrument I raise
‘Celestial music. Heard'st thou yester eve
‘The stars, and stately moon, rejoicing, swell
‘My earthly chorus?’ Wond'ring look'd the Danes,
Alfred continued. ‘Mid’ the ocean waves,
‘Where in his greatness, huge Behemoth swims,
‘Shaking the depths of ocean, I abide,
‘The solitary monarch of the flood.
‘Ah! now I trim the lamp, dim burning blue,
‘In lonely sepulchre. What form is that?
‘Unknown to earth. Behold it! There! A crane!
‘Nay, by my harp, it is a sorcerer's wand.
‘The time! what is it! Ah! what art thou there?
‘Sweet innocent, a child! Nay, spare his tears!
‘Come thou with me!’
‘Witches and wand'ring sprites their revels keep,
‘Loud laughing, with this instrument I raise
‘Celestial music. Heard'st thou yester eve
‘The stars, and stately moon, rejoicing, swell
‘My earthly chorus?’ Wond'ring look'd the Danes,
Alfred continued. ‘Mid’ the ocean waves,
‘Where in his greatness, huge Behemoth swims,
‘Shaking the depths of ocean, I abide,
‘The solitary monarch of the flood.
‘Ah! now I trim the lamp, dim burning blue,
‘In lonely sepulchre. What form is that?
‘Unknown to earth. Behold it! There! A crane!
‘Nay, by my harp, it is a sorcerer's wand.
‘The time! what is it! Ah! what art thou there?
‘Sweet innocent, a child! Nay, spare his tears!
‘Come thou with me!’
When thro' the door, the king—
Essay'd to pass, anxious to leave the tent,
With his imagin'd guest, but Hubba cried,
‘Withhold!’ and, turning, spake. ‘This frantic man,
‘Whence came he? His strange looks, and words so wild,
‘Might check our doubts, but that I oft have found,
‘Reputed fools, wiser than some who charge
‘The fool with folly. Saxon! say, thy name,
‘And if thou know'st of Alfred.’—Cried the king:
‘What is my name? What is the sea-surf call'd
‘At midnight? And who stops to count the sands
‘When the waves roar? See'st thou yon louring cloud?
‘Hear'st thou the noise that through the elements
‘Bursts on, and makes the gazer's cheek turn pale—
‘The lightnings learn to pity? Up and down,
‘Up to the clouds, down to the ocean's bed,
‘Nightly I go, and when th' expanding waves
‘Make bare the sea-rocks' leaves, I tear them off
‘And round my harp, bind them as now thou se'st.’
Essay'd to pass, anxious to leave the tent,
231
‘Withhold!’ and, turning, spake. ‘This frantic man,
‘Whence came he? His strange looks, and words so wild,
‘Might check our doubts, but that I oft have found,
‘Reputed fools, wiser than some who charge
‘The fool with folly. Saxon! say, thy name,
‘And if thou know'st of Alfred.’—Cried the king:
‘What is my name? What is the sea-surf call'd
‘At midnight? And who stops to count the sands
‘When the waves roar? See'st thou yon louring cloud?
‘Hear'st thou the noise that through the elements
‘Bursts on, and makes the gazer's cheek turn pale—
‘The lightnings learn to pity? Up and down,
‘Up to the clouds, down to the ocean's bed,
‘Nightly I go, and when th' expanding waves
‘Make bare the sea-rocks' leaves, I tear them off
‘And round my harp, bind them as now thou se'st.’
‘Where is thy king?’ aloud the chief exclaim'd.
‘Alfred, to touch some other chord within,
Terror or superstition, thus replied—
In graver accent, and with look austere.
‘Where is my king, did'st thou presume to ask?
‘Down deep in earth; e'en in her central caves!
‘Shall I my hand extend and bid him rise,
‘Fierce as the midnight wolf, to look around
‘On thee and me? Or shall I to the grave
‘Instant descend, or, to profounder depths,
‘Where oft I go, and with my potent word,
‘Arouse the earthquake?’—
‘Alfred, to touch some other chord within,
Terror or superstition, thus replied—
In graver accent, and with look austere.
‘Where is my king, did'st thou presume to ask?
‘Down deep in earth; e'en in her central caves!
‘Shall I my hand extend and bid him rise,
‘Fierce as the midnight wolf, to look around
‘On thee and me? Or shall I to the grave
‘Instant descend, or, to profounder depths,
‘Where oft I go, and with my potent word,
‘Arouse the earthquake?’—
Hubba cried, ‘Forbear!
‘Call not thy king!’ when, turning thus he said
Slowly to Ivar, ‘This mysterious man,
‘I like him not! Ask for no other words;
‘But let him leave our tent, and with him take
‘Our mildest accents.’ Ivar thus replied:
‘Lose not thyself! Tho' evil spirits walk,
‘And teaze mankind with sore perplexities,
‘This is no spirit! By his uncouth words,
‘I see the wand'ring lunatic. His looks
‘Plainly tell this. But tho' he may not talk,
‘He well may play. Harper! some cheerful tune
‘To soothe the impetuous spirit!’—As the king
‘Uprais'd his harp, Guthrum threw wide the door
And enter'd in, vindictive. In his eye
He bore fierce wrath.
‘Call not thy king!’ when, turning thus he said
Slowly to Ivar, ‘This mysterious man,
‘I like him not! Ask for no other words;
‘But let him leave our tent, and with him take
‘Our mildest accents.’ Ivar thus replied:
232
‘And teaze mankind with sore perplexities,
‘This is no spirit! By his uncouth words,
‘I see the wand'ring lunatic. His looks
‘Plainly tell this. But tho' he may not talk,
‘He well may play. Harper! some cheerful tune
‘To soothe the impetuous spirit!’—As the king
‘Uprais'd his harp, Guthrum threw wide the door
And enter'd in, vindictive. In his eye
He bore fierce wrath.
When with a tongue that hid
All deadly plans, Hubba the chief address'd.
‘Guthrum, we long have waited, and thy zeal,
‘So boasted of, had taught us to expect
‘More certain proofs; but I forgot myself!
‘I did not mean to question thy high spirit,
‘As well might I suspect this heart, that now
‘Beats with one purpose.—
All deadly plans, Hubba the chief address'd.
‘Guthrum, we long have waited, and thy zeal,
‘So boasted of, had taught us to expect
‘More certain proofs; but I forgot myself!
‘I did not mean to question thy high spirit,
‘As well might I suspect this heart, that now
‘Beats with one purpose.—
Tho', when late we met,
‘Our words were rough, while we in idle talk
‘Question'd each other's courage, and had night
‘Handled our swords, yet 'twas a childish thing.
‘Guthrum, to tell the truth, thou well did'st speak!
‘And since thy boyish days, thou hast been known,
‘To shine far better in thy deeds than words.
‘Say I not right, old chief?’
‘Our words were rough, while we in idle talk
‘Question'd each other's courage, and had night
‘Handled our swords, yet 'twas a childish thing.
‘Guthrum, to tell the truth, thou well did'st speak!
‘And since thy boyish days, thou hast been known,
‘To shine far better in thy deeds than words.
‘Say I not right, old chief?’
Guthrum replied.
‘My plan is this. All others I respect,
‘But I have learn'd, most to respect myself;
‘And never to receive from lord or slave,
‘Charges, or light or heavy, but this sword
‘Hath weigh'd their truth. I am content to serve
‘Thee, my young prince, as I have wont to do,
‘With due allegiance; yet, there is within
‘This veteran breast, a heart that reverences
‘Its duties to another, and itself.
‘I am thy friend again; receive my hand!’
‘Most willing,’ Hubba cried. ‘We both are friends,’
When, with a downcast look, yet cheerful voice,
He further spake, ‘We here are met, to name
‘What best may serve our cause. I need not tell
‘Thee, Guthrum! what the customs of our land,
‘Preceding battle, and how well it suits
‘Mortals to deprecate great Odin's frown,
‘Ere they commence the fight. To me it seems
‘Needful to sacrifice some victim: nay.
‘And that of human kind, thus, as beseems,
‘Pleasing the gods. What thinkest thou? oh chief!’
‘My plan is this. All others I respect,
‘But I have learn'd, most to respect myself;
‘And never to receive from lord or slave,
‘Charges, or light or heavy, but this sword
‘Hath weigh'd their truth. I am content to serve
‘Thee, my young prince, as I have wont to do,
‘With due allegiance; yet, there is within
‘This veteran breast, a heart that reverences
‘Its duties to another, and itself.
233
‘Most willing,’ Hubba cried. ‘We both are friends,’
When, with a downcast look, yet cheerful voice,
He further spake, ‘We here are met, to name
‘What best may serve our cause. I need not tell
‘Thee, Guthrum! what the customs of our land,
‘Preceding battle, and how well it suits
‘Mortals to deprecate great Odin's frown,
‘Ere they commence the fight. To me it seems
‘Needful to sacrifice some victim: nay.
‘And that of human kind, thus, as beseems,
‘Pleasing the gods. What thinkest thou? oh chief!’
Guthrum replied, ‘Most wise! some blood should flow.’
‘If blood must flow,’ said Hubba, ‘thou would'st chuse,
‘Doubtless, a victim of such sort, that gods
‘Might smile beneficent, and in our cause
‘Take more than common interest. Speak I well?’
‘Truly,’ said Guthrum. Hubba thus exclaim'd:
With eye that darted the malignant fire.
‘If well I speak, then, by thy patriot zeal!
‘By all the ardour in the Danish cause
‘Thou oft hast boasted! By Valhalla's halls—
‘I claim thy captive!—Look not thus amazed!
‘But if sincerity thy breast hath sway'd,
‘Answer me, yes!’
‘If blood must flow,’ said Hubba, ‘thou would'st chuse,
‘Doubtless, a victim of such sort, that gods
‘Might smile beneficent, and in our cause
‘Take more than common interest. Speak I well?’
‘Truly,’ said Guthrum. Hubba thus exclaim'd:
With eye that darted the malignant fire.
‘If well I speak, then, by thy patriot zeal!
‘By all the ardour in the Danish cause
‘Thou oft hast boasted! By Valhalla's halls—
‘I claim thy captive!—Look not thus amazed!
‘But if sincerity thy breast hath sway'd,
‘Answer me, yes!’
‘No! by the gods above!’
Cried Guthrum. ‘She shall never bleed! My word,—
‘My oath is with her, and when Guthrum fails
‘His promise, then shall man renounce all faith
‘And Surtur's desolating reign draw near.’
Whilst filled with rage, Hubba with placid mien
Thus answer'd. ‘Guthrum, thou art wise and brave—
‘This much thy foes confess. Thou wilt ere long,
‘Repress thy warmth, and see most plain, how right
‘To sacrifice this captive, whom to save,
‘In such an honr, were folly. Mark me, friend,
‘It is a deed so right, that thy sage mind
‘Must yield, there is no choice.’
Cried Guthrum. ‘She shall never bleed! My word,—
‘My oath is with her, and when Guthrum fails
‘His promise, then shall man renounce all faith
‘And Surtur's desolating reign draw near.’
Whilst filled with rage, Hubba with placid mien
Thus answer'd. ‘Guthrum, thou art wise and brave—
‘This much thy foes confess. Thou wilt ere long,
‘Repress thy warmth, and see most plain, how right
‘To sacrifice this captive, whom to save,
234
‘It is a deed so right, that thy sage mind
‘Must yield, there is no choice.’
When Guthrum thus:
‘No choice! I tell thee, Hubba! tho' thy voice
‘Came with a god's solemnity, and Brag
‘Pleaded thy cause; I would regard it all,
‘As doth the king of birds the winds that roar
‘Around his giddy dwelling. Hear me, prince!
‘If one must bleed, as offering to our gods,
‘Let Ivar speak, and with a band of Danes,
‘Some chief shall search the country, and provide
‘Hundreds like her, to temporize with fate:
‘But by th' infernal powers, by this my sword,
‘By Midgar's war-delighting potentate—
‘By Odin's self! my captive shall not die.’
‘No choice! I tell thee, Hubba! tho' thy voice
‘Came with a god's solemnity, and Brag
‘Pleaded thy cause; I would regard it all,
‘As doth the king of birds the winds that roar
‘Around his giddy dwelling. Hear me, prince!
‘If one must bleed, as offering to our gods,
‘Let Ivar speak, and with a band of Danes,
‘Some chief shall search the country, and provide
‘Hundreds like her, to temporize with fate:
‘But by th' infernal powers, by this my sword,
‘By Midgar's war-delighting potentate—
‘By Odin's self! my captive shall not die.’
Guthrum's proud speech and purpose resolute
Added new force to Hubba's kindling ire.
He cried, ‘Thou cormorant of haughtiness!
‘Who gave thee grace before thy prince to stand
‘And say what shall be? Who endued thy words
‘To fix the bounds of fate, and of thyself
‘Give life and death? Thine oath—I spurn its power!
‘And as the sun high over head now shines,
‘So shall thy captive perish!’
Added new force to Hubba's kindling ire.
He cried, ‘Thou cormorant of haughtiness!
‘Who gave thee grace before thy prince to stand
‘And say what shall be? Who endued thy words
‘To fix the bounds of fate, and of thyself
‘Give life and death? Thine oath—I spurn its power!
‘And as the sun high over head now shines,
‘So shall thy captive perish!’
With an eye
Steady as solar beam, thus Guthrum spake.
‘Thy wrath is great, but I will answer thee,
‘Calm, from my conscious right, not cowardice.—
‘Tho' nurs'd in wars, and mark'd with many a scar
‘From hostile sword: tho' by thy father's side
‘I, on the Lapland mountains, met the foe,
‘Where the white smoke-frosts rose, and ice-pil'd crags
Steady as solar beam, thus Guthrum spake.
‘Thy wrath is great, but I will answer thee,
‘Calm, from my conscious right, not cowardice.—
‘Tho' nurs'd in wars, and mark'd with many a scar
‘From hostile sword: tho' by thy father's side
‘I, on the Lapland mountains, met the foe,
‘Where the white smoke-frosts rose, and ice-pil'd crags
‘Shone in their sumptuous dress, our only guide
‘The blasted fir, some solitary tree,
‘That here and there appear'd 'mid nature's grave.
‘Warning the foot of hardy traveller:
‘Tho' in these scenes, by Regner's side I fought
‘And nobly conquer'd; on the tall rock's brow,
‘Sending our feats down to posterity
‘In living glory, making snows my bed,
‘And ice my pillow, whilst our swords were dyed
‘In gallant blood, chieftains' and warriors' brave;
‘Yet thou disdainest all!—These deeds are o'er!—
‘When, at thy sire's untimely death, I stood
‘First in command, I look'd around and saw
‘His youthful boys, and to protect them, swore—
‘True fealty! Swore I then in vain? Thou know'st
‘This shield hath screen'd thee! This good arm hath sav'd
‘Thy infant head, 'mid perils numberless,
‘When all thy false friends fled. Since thou arriv'dst
‘In Britain, have I sheath'd my sword, and stood,
‘An idle gazer? Have I not display'd
‘Spirit untam'd, and in this tardy strife,
‘Stood forth in every hour, unterrified,
‘Where danger most appear'd! If this be true,
‘Such long-tried service might exalt itself,
‘Or look at least for something like a smile
‘From thee, young prince, of fair complacency!
‘But thou hast hightly deem'd these benefits,
‘And, with a soul unmanly, dared oppress
‘An aged friend. Injurious chieftain, hear!
‘Tho' old in warfare, still do I possess
‘A sinewy hand that yet can grasp the sword.
‘Hubba! I tell thee, till my head lie low,
‘Tho' Valhall's gods in long succession came
‘To ask this victim—she shall never bleed!’
‘The blasted fir, some solitary tree,
235
‘Warning the foot of hardy traveller:
‘Tho' in these scenes, by Regner's side I fought
‘And nobly conquer'd; on the tall rock's brow,
‘Sending our feats down to posterity
‘In living glory, making snows my bed,
‘And ice my pillow, whilst our swords were dyed
‘In gallant blood, chieftains' and warriors' brave;
‘Yet thou disdainest all!—These deeds are o'er!—
‘When, at thy sire's untimely death, I stood
‘First in command, I look'd around and saw
‘His youthful boys, and to protect them, swore—
‘True fealty! Swore I then in vain? Thou know'st
‘This shield hath screen'd thee! This good arm hath sav'd
‘Thy infant head, 'mid perils numberless,
‘When all thy false friends fled. Since thou arriv'dst
‘In Britain, have I sheath'd my sword, and stood,
‘An idle gazer? Have I not display'd
‘Spirit untam'd, and in this tardy strife,
‘Stood forth in every hour, unterrified,
‘Where danger most appear'd! If this be true,
‘Such long-tried service might exalt itself,
‘Or look at least for something like a smile
‘From thee, young prince, of fair complacency!
‘But thou hast hightly deem'd these benefits,
‘And, with a soul unmanly, dared oppress
‘An aged friend. Injurious chieftain, hear!
‘Tho' old in warfare, still do I possess
‘A sinewy hand that yet can grasp the sword.
‘Hubba! I tell thee, till my head lie low,
‘Tho' Valhall's gods in long succession came
‘To ask this victim—she shall never bleed!’
‘Proud dotard!’ Hubba cried, ‘Take thy rash words!
‘I scorn them! As the savage bear pursues
‘The murd'rer of her young ones, so will I—
‘Thy captive! and tho' death before me stood,
‘Press onward; such my hate of thee! But words
‘Suit not my purpose! This triumphant sword,
‘Shall deal her death-wound!’ As he to the door
Rush'd furious, Guthrum seiz'd, and thus exclaim'd,
‘Hubba! what word was that?’—Their swords are drawn!
When Ivar sprang between and cried, ‘Forbear!’
(Whilst at the murd'rous man the harper frown'd,
Unseen, and rais'd his harp, as he would strike,
Unconscious what he did.)
‘I scorn them! As the savage bear pursues
‘The murd'rer of her young ones, so will I—
236
‘Press onward; such my hate of thee! But words
‘Suit not my purpose! This triumphant sword,
‘Shall deal her death-wound!’ As he to the door
Rush'd furious, Guthrum seiz'd, and thus exclaim'd,
‘Hubba! what word was that?’—Their swords are drawn!
When Ivar sprang between and cried, ‘Forbear!’
(Whilst at the murd'rous man the harper frown'd,
Unseen, and rais'd his harp, as he would strike,
Unconscious what he did.)
With wiser wrath,
Each warrior sheathes his sword, when Hubba cried:
‘Wrongs upon wrongs must I for ever bear?
‘Shall the young Hubba blush to own his sire?
‘Guthrum! thy blood or mine this foul offence
‘Alone shall heal! We will not thus with words
‘Fight always! But, enough, now Ivar, speak!
‘Thou art our proper leader! Now decide
‘'Tween Hubba, and that proudest of the proud,
‘Guthrum, thy brother's foe.’—When Ivar spake:
‘To me it is portentous of all ill,
‘Cut off from succour, and about to try
‘Our might with Alfred, to behold you thus
‘With broils disastrous, waste those thoughts, that zeal
‘The Saxons call for. Shall we by such deeds
‘Britain subdue, and to our homes return
‘Laden with honours? Hubba, thou art rash!
‘Nor Guthrum less so. Am I leader named
‘To learn my weakness, and behold your words
‘Guide me, who, child-like, need such foreign aid?
‘I am myself alone! I heed ye not—
‘Hubba, nor Guthrum!—Ere the fight begin,
‘'Tis meet some victim fall, and, right I deem,
‘Guthrum, thy captive!—Is there one beside,
‘A Saxon in our camp? Yea! There is one—
‘Yon crazy harper. Instant seize! His blood
‘Shall stay your mutual wrath!’ ‘Aye! Guthrum cried.
‘Let him be sacrificed!—Hubba exclaim'd,
‘This mean inglorious harping mendicant!—
‘Nay! but thy captive suffers! I will have
‘No blood but her's She is the destin'd gift
‘From Danes to gods, and as thy brother lives,
‘So shall she die!’
Each warrior sheathes his sword, when Hubba cried:
‘Wrongs upon wrongs must I for ever bear?
‘Shall the young Hubba blush to own his sire?
‘Guthrum! thy blood or mine this foul offence
‘Alone shall heal! We will not thus with words
‘Fight always! But, enough, now Ivar, speak!
‘Thou art our proper leader! Now decide
‘'Tween Hubba, and that proudest of the proud,
‘Guthrum, thy brother's foe.’—When Ivar spake:
‘To me it is portentous of all ill,
‘Cut off from succour, and about to try
‘Our might with Alfred, to behold you thus
‘With broils disastrous, waste those thoughts, that zeal
‘The Saxons call for. Shall we by such deeds
‘Britain subdue, and to our homes return
‘Laden with honours? Hubba, thou art rash!
‘Nor Guthrum less so. Am I leader named
‘To learn my weakness, and behold your words
‘Guide me, who, child-like, need such foreign aid?
‘I am myself alone! I heed ye not—
‘Hubba, nor Guthrum!—Ere the fight begin,
‘'Tis meet some victim fall, and, right I deem,
‘Guthrum, thy captive!—Is there one beside,
‘A Saxon in our camp? Yea! There is one—
‘Yon crazy harper. Instant seize! His blood
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‘Let him be sacrificed!—Hubba exclaim'd,
‘This mean inglorious harping mendicant!—
‘Nay! but thy captive suffers! I will have
‘No blood but her's She is the destin'd gift
‘From Danes to gods, and as thy brother lives,
‘So shall she die!’
Ivar replied ‘'Tis well!
‘Hubba, thou speakest right. Her blood shall flow!’
Guthrum then smote his breast and, looking up,
Heard Ivar say: ‘But stop! to shun myself,
‘That rashness which in you so ill I deem,
‘I will not now determine; when night comes,
‘Then in this tent meet all! and we will speak
‘Plain to this subject. As we then resolve,
‘So shall the deed take place, for if to death
‘We doom the captive—by our torches' light,
‘Forth will we lead her, and may gods receive
‘Th' appeasing blood!’
‘Hubba, thou speakest right. Her blood shall flow!’
Guthrum then smote his breast and, looking up,
Heard Ivar say: ‘But stop! to shun myself,
‘That rashness which in you so ill I deem,
‘I will not now determine; when night comes,
‘Then in this tent meet all! and we will speak
‘Plain to this subject. As we then resolve,
‘So shall the deed take place, for if to death
‘We doom the captive—by our torches' light,
‘Forth will we lead her, and may gods receive
‘Th' appeasing blood!’
Hubba transported cried,
‘This is most brave, most brotherly, most wise!
‘Ivar, thou hast my thanks! yet one word more,
‘Favour'd I feel, but I would still require
‘An equal favour.—Let the captive stand,
‘Here in this tent, upon th' approaching eve,
‘While we debate, so shall we mark her look,
‘And feast our eyes upon her growing terrors!’
‘This is most brave, most brotherly, most wise!
‘Ivar, thou hast my thanks! yet one word more,
‘Favour'd I feel, but I would still require
‘An equal favour.—Let the captive stand,
‘Here in this tent, upon th' approaching eve,
‘While we debate, so shall we mark her look,
‘And feast our eyes upon her growing terrors!’
‘Monster, away!’ th' indignant Guthrum cried.
‘Shame of thy race! blot of thy father's fame!
‘Insult a woman? Make a captive stand—
‘One whom the wars have giv'n, and view her chains,
‘Preparing at the forge!—The molten steel,
‘Soon to become a dagger in her heart!
‘Is thy name Hubba?’—Foaming he replied,
With venom in his eye, of scorpion kind,
‘I would consume thy spirit! Ivar, speak,
‘The power is thine—thou art the strength of Danes!
‘Say to yon man, who fain would grasp all rule,
‘And, as I soberly suspect, who now
‘E'en meditates our fall—say to yon man,
‘Thy captive shall be present!’—Ivar cried,
‘Thy captive shall be present! She shall hear
‘Whilst we decide.’
‘Shame of thy race! blot of thy father's fame!
‘Insult a woman? Make a captive stand—
‘One whom the wars have giv'n, and view her chains,
‘Preparing at the forge!—The molten steel,
‘Soon to become a dagger in her heart!
‘Is thy name Hubba?’—Foaming he replied,
With venom in his eye, of scorpion kind,
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‘The power is thine—thou art the strength of Danes!
‘Say to yon man, who fain would grasp all rule,
‘And, as I soberly suspect, who now
‘E'en meditates our fall—say to yon man,
‘Thy captive shall be present!’—Ivar cried,
‘Thy captive shall be present! She shall hear
‘Whilst we decide.’
When, brooding as the cloud
That leads the storm on, Guthrum left the tent,
Whom Hubba follow'd; and as Alfred rose
Ivar beheld, and spake: ‘Mark, simple man!
‘Tho' thou dost talk so wild, yet with thy harp
‘Thou play'st most sweetly, and, lest words arise
‘That need thy soothing—be thou here anon!’
Which said, the harper, trembling, pass'd the door.
That leads the storm on, Guthrum left the tent,
Whom Hubba follow'd; and as Alfred rose
Ivar beheld, and spake: ‘Mark, simple man!
‘Tho' thou dost talk so wild, yet with thy harp
‘Thou play'st most sweetly, and, lest words arise
‘That need thy soothing—be thou here anon!’
Which said, the harper, trembling, pass'd the door.
| Alfred | |