Yet always is the world harmonious,

Whether 'tis musick'd by the sunset sky,
Or chanted by the piping of the winds, -
Each bears with all appropriate part;
The stormy gale sings treble to the sea,
Which thunders base, whilst lesser natures
Accord their notes, and give the universe
Perpetual music; thus, even thus our earth
Joins the other planets in their songs—thus sings
The universe eternally to God!

Give me the book . . . where I was reading last. ..
I have turned down the page. 'Tis strange old age
Dims so the eyes and dulls the ears' quick sense
I cannot see the words. Here, take the book,

you

Your eyes are younger,

do

GURTH.

read for me.

You know, my father! I ne'er learned to read.

DUNSTAN.

True, true! I had quite forgot.—The leaf feels damp,

have left

your bed,

'Tis but two days since you

And the damp air will do you injury.

GURTH.

This weary wound! When will the time return
When, as of yore, I'll sleep beneath the stars,
And dream below the faint light of the moon!
The distant roar of winds among the trees,
The murmur of the stream and sighing sedge,
The flitting shadows and the fleecy clouds

Which chequer o'er the night, once helped my rest;
My airy dreams mixed with the nightingale's

Sweet songs, my breath came soft and clear, my limbs
Were free and when along the eastern sky

The dappled dawn was barred with ruddy gold,
All Nature bade me wake, and I arose.

DUNSTAN.

A weight of years will freeze the warmest blood,-
This is the case with me; chill age in time
Will do the like with you. The night grows cold.

G

GURTH.

Hist, father! See you not two figures move

Upon the wood's dark skirts? They come this way.

DUNSTAN.

Look! are they Danes, my son?

GURTH.

No fear, no fear!

For here they come, a woman and a man.

Enter ALICE and First Soldier.

FIRST SOLDIER.

Good Father Dunstan! here I bring a maid

Whom we have rescued from those Danish dogs, ·
She's very tired and, I think, not well.

Give her some food for me I must be off

What booty's going, I fear me, will be shared.

DUNSTAN.

Daughter, you're welcome to my hermit's cell.

ALICE.

The time is past!

[Exit.

DUNSTAN.

'Tis humble, but 'tis safe.

ALICE.

Till I but say.. I cannot catch your meaning.

DUNSTAN.

This is the weakness of the mind from suffering,
Her smile is vacant, though 'tis passing sweet.
Poor innocent, sleep is thy surest leech!
Help her within, good Gurth!

[Exeunt.

They line the western range of hills, my lord.

GUTHRUM.

Do they give promise of a tough day's game?

ATTENDANT.

So promising a sight I have not seen

For near a year or more.