The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay With Illustrations by John Gilbert |
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| XII. |
KING ALFRED. |
 | The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay |  |
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KING ALFRED.
I
King Alfred went forth to the camp of the Dane,And tuned his sweet harp for the foe;
He thought of his country with sorrow and pain,
And sigh'd for her glory laid low.
Then striking his hand o'er the answering chords,
Of love and its pleasures he sang,
Till the gathering crowd beat applause with their swords,
And their tents with the melody rang.
II
“Come, sing us a song of the full-flowing bowl!”Exclaim'd the proud foe, as he play'd;—
The minstrel, though sadness lay deep on his soul,
Look'd round with a smile, and obey'd:—
“Who drinks the deep draught shall be strong in the fight,
“Who drains to the dregs is a king!”
Again they applauded:—“We'll pledge you to-night:—
“'Tis thus that a minstrel should sing!”
III
Then changing his theme, came the tune, like a wave:“When haughty invaders defy,
“His fame shall be first on the roll of the brave—
“Who meets them, to conquer or die:
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“Beware!” said the foe,—“we are strong;
“The minstrel is safe, but another than he
“Might have paid with his life for his song!”
| The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay | |