 | Alfred |  |
26
SCENE II.
Corin, Emma, Peasants.Corin.
O happy hour! wife, neighbours—such, such news!
I shall run wild with joy!
Emma.
Speak, shepherd; say,
What moves thee thus?
Corin.
The king is in our isle!
Emma.
Can it be possible?
Peasant.
What do I hear?
Corin.
As now I pass'd beneath the hermit's cell,
I heard that wonderous man pronounce his name.
O Emma, the poor stranger whom we serv'd
And honour'd, all-unknowing of his state,
Is he! our great and gracious Alfred!
27
Heaven!
Then are we blest indeed!
Corin.
My humble cottage,
Long ages hence, when we are dust, my friends,
In holy pilgrimage oft visited,
Will draw true English knees to worship there,
As at the shrine of some propitious saint,
Or angel friendly to mankind—The thought
Brings tears into mine eyes.—
Emma.
Does joy deceive
My sense? or did I hear a distant voice
Sigh thro the vale and wake the mournful echo?
The following song is sung by a person unseen.
28
I.
Ye woods and ye mountains unknown,Beneath whose pale shadows I stray,
To the breast of my charmer alone
These sighs bid sweet echo convey.
Wherever he pensively leans,
By fountain, on hill, or in grove,
His heart will explain what she means,
Who sings both from sorrow and love.
Corin.
The evening wood-lark warbles in her voice.
Who can this be?
Emma.
Peace, peace: she sings again.
II.
More soft than the nightingale's song,O waft the sad sound to his ear:
And say, tho divided so long,
The friend of his bosom is near.
Then tell him what years of delight,
Then tell him what ages of pain,
I felt while I liv'd in his sight!
I feel till I see him again!
29
What think ye, friends? Such moving, melting softness
Breathes in these sweet complainings, as till now
Mine ear was never blest with. Let us go
And find out this new wonder.
Second Shepherdess.
Look, the king!
Emma.
Now, by my holidame, a goodly person,
And of most noble mein.
Corin.
Disturb him not.
| Alfred | |