 | Alfred |  |
46
SCENE III.
Ertruda, an Attendant.Attendant.
My gracious mistress,
Why to the breath of this untimely sky
Expose your health?
Ertruda.
Away—the health, the life
Of England is at stake: my Alfred fights—
Perhaps he bleeds: and I am lost for ever!
But is there none, no messenger return'd
From that dark scene of death?
Attendant.
No, madam, none.
Eltruda.
O my torn, tortur'd heart! What is the hour?
Attendant.
By yon faint light, that glimmering steals along
From east to north, I guess the morning near.
47
Then all my hopes and fears suspended hang
On this dread moment's wing—Ah! hear'st thou not
The trumpet's distant voice?
Attendant.
It speaks aloud,
And shakes the echoing woods.
| Alfred | |