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Page 44
SOLDIERS. Aye! Aye!
KING. If only I could turn their fear to rage and fierce, hot anger!
Then England would not flee! She'd fight her foes and conquer!
SOLDIERS. Aye! Aye!
PRINCE. 'Tis for that great work you should save yourself, Sire! For
that, you should wear the beggar's rags now!
[_Enter_ ENGLISH SOLDIERS _in great haste._]
THIRD SOLDIER. Sire, save yourself! The Danes still follow us!
FOURTH SOLDIER. They have crossed the river!
THIRD SOLDIER. They pursue your Majesty!
PRINCE. Go to the hut there, Sire. Let the Danes find you begging from
the goodwife.
KING. But you, my men, where will you hide?
FIRST SOLDIER. We'll scatter, Sire.
KING. Then go, go at once! I'll await you here, if the Danes go on.
PRINCE (_saluting_). Farewell, my King!
SOLDIERS (_saluting_). Farewell, King Alfred, farewell!
[_They go. The King crosses to hut, and knocks at door, which is opened
by the_ GOODWIFE. _She holds a wooden bowl and a large flat stone in her
hands._]
GOODWIFE (_aside_). Another beggar, as I live!
(_Aloud, sharply_). Well, what do you want?
KING. A bite to eat, goodwife.
GOODWIFE. My cakes are not yet baked.
KING. I will wait, then.
GOODWIFE (_indignantly_). Well, and you will not, sir!
KING (_alarmed_). You will not drive me off, good woman!
GOODWIFE. And who are you, that you should sit by and wait, whilst I do
all the work! And do you think you are the king, sir?
KING. No, no! I--
GOOD WIFE (_interrupting_). You'll fry the cakes yourself, sir! And that
you will at once, sir! Go now and mend the fire, and lay this stone upon
it.
[_The King takes the stone; crosses to the fire, and stirs it; places
the stone on the burning wood. When the stone is hot, the Goodwife pours
the batter from the bowl on the stone._]
GOODWIFE. Now watch these cakes while I'm within. And watch them well:
rye cakes do burn while one is winking.
KING. I'll watch them carefully, goodwife.
(_The Goodwife enters hut. The King turns the cakes carefully, then sits
on a log; he shows that his thoughts are far away._)
I _will_ drive them out! I _will!_
(_Pause._)
To-night I'll get my men together.
(_Pause._)
We will take them by surprise--at daybreak.
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