Curse on you all! make way,

I say,

make way!

Alfred, I'm here! You coward, come!

[Battle rolls on against the Danes. Exeunt.

Enter two Saxon Soldiers, meeting.

FIRST SOLDIER.

Keep to the right! the camp and booty lie

Towards the battle's right — Whither away?

SECOND SOLDIER.

I bear this flask of water to old Kent,

I fear me he's a-dying.

FIRST SOLDIER.

Stay awhile

I've seen such marvels in the fight to-day!

Marvels! how so?

SECOND SOLDIER.

FIRST SOLDIER.

A cloudy figure rose

And led the foe, just as the armies joined

"T was like a blasted God! and then anon

I heard an elritch yell ring in my ear,

And such a spectre passed! Look there, look there!

Yon figure wears a cross upon his breast

Surely 'tis good St. George!

[Pointing.

SECOND SOLDIER.

I must to Kent!

The Danesmen rally, and the battle roars.

[Exeunt. Battle continues to be heard.

And watch the battle lost? Fetch me a sword!

I feel my Norse blood boiling in my veins

I'll die with Guthrum, for I know he'll die
Ere he deserts the fight.

ATTENDANT.

My orders were —

EDUNA.

Obey me, sir! I am your mistress now

Go bid each maiden who doth love her sire,

Each wife who loves her husband as she ought,

Each matron who hath sons, each white-haired man Even the widows and the orphans tell.

I'll lead them now, to die with all they love!

Said you the battle was quite lost?

ATTENDANT.

I fear

EDUNA.

Speak out and tell the truth.

ATTENDANT.

I fear me, yes!

EDUNA.

Away, begone! and do as I command.

Oh God of Alice, thou art in the fight!

[Exit Attendant.

[Looking towards the battle.

For my own husband, when he feasts with Gods!

If you meet any flying, strike them dead!
I fear confusion has spread through our ranks
Rally them here- I'll to the central host,

Guthrum alone sustains the battle now.

[Exit.

[SEDROCK turns to go.

UBBO.

Stay, Sedrock! if I lately have seemed cold,

And shunn'd a kind good friend

if partly pride,

And be some slight shame, hath kept me back

may

I think it likely one of us may fall,

"Twas this that made me speak.

[Exit SEDROCK Danes retreat over the Stage.

-

Stand, cowards! turn-I blush to give that name

To those who once were men!

Sound me a rally, or I'll throttle you!

[Seizing a trumpeter by the shoulder.

Louder, still louder! blow an' ye burst your heart!

[Snatches the horn, and blows a blast himself.

Enter First Lord.

FIRST LORD.

We must make good the camp,— the battle's lost.