Children's Classics in Dramatic Form Part 32

[_Danes enter hut. They come out immediately bringing King Alfred._]

FIRST DANE. We found this man within, chief.

SECOND DANE. 'Tis only her husband, I think.

GOODWIFE (_indignantly_). _Husband_, say you?--that beggar!

CHIEF (_showing suspicion_). Ah, a beggar--!

GOODWIFE. Yes, my lord, he came but just before you.

FIRST DANE (_whispering_). Hear that, my lord,--just before us!

SECOND DANE (_whispering_). It may be King Alfred!

THIRD DANE (_whispering_). Disguised as a beggar, sir!

FOURTH DANE (_whispering_). 'Twould be safest to take him prisoner, my lord!

CHIEF (_nodding_). We'll take him with us to be certain.

GOODWIFE (_hearing this_). Yes, take him! 'Twould serve him right! He burnt my cakes just now!

CHIEF. What! Burnt your cakes?

GOODWIFE. Yes, my lord! And I'd have beaten him had not your lords.h.i.+p come.

CHIEF (_aside to Danes_). This cannot be the king.

FIRST DANE (_shaking head_). No king would fry cakes!

SECOND DANE (_shaking head_). He could not be made to fry them!

THIRD DANE (_shaking head_). Nor take a beating from a woman!

[_The Goodwife has crept up to listen; and so overhears this last remark._]

GOODWIFE. He wouldn't, eh? Ha, ha! Well, I sent him within to mix fresh dough! And I sent him with my stick, I did!

[_Flouris.h.i.+ng stick._]

FOURTH DANE. Would you let a woman threaten you with a stick, my lord?

CHIEF (_proudly)._ Never! Besides, King Alfred would be dressed as are his princes and his soldiers. I have thought that from the first.

Release the beggar!

[_Danes release King Alfred._]

CHIEF. Now listen, Danes! A hundred silver pieces will I give the man who makes King Alfred prisoner! Hear--all of you!--One hundred silver pieces!

DANES. Aye! Aye!

CHIEF (_to Goodwife and Alfred_). And when this Alfred's taken, to me you'll bend your English knees! To me, you English beggar! Now come, my men! To hunt King Alfred!

DANES (_going_). To hunt King Alfred! To hunt King Alfred!

[_They go. King Alfred smiles. The Goodwife looks after them, listening for a moment._]

GOODWIFE. May they never see a hair of his head!

(_Lifting up arms._)

May Heaven protect and save King Alfred!

KING (_growling_). You seem to love King Alfred--

GOODWIFE. I love the ground he treads on!

KING (_as before_). Of course,--'tis English ground!

GOODWIFE (_shaking head_). Not that--I love the air he breathes!

KING. Well--'tis English air.

GOODWIFE (_sharply)._ No, no! I love the king!--the king himself!

KING (_growling)._ Out upon King Alfred! Out upon him, I say!

GOODWIFE (_angrily)._ You are a traitor, sir!

KING. What has he done for England? He has lost every battle to the Danes! He is running from them now!

GOODWIFE. 'Tis no fault of his! If the king's men were as brave as he, there would not be a Dane on English land to-day!

KING (_still growling_). Well, I'm glad there's one that thinks so well of him!

GOODWIFE. You are a traitor and should be punished!

(_Taking up stick._)

I myself will do it!

[_Lifting stick. Enter the_ PRINCE _and_ ENGLISH SOLDIERS.]

PRINCE (_kneeling_). Your Majesty is safe!

GOOD WIFE (_aside_). What!--Your Majesty, they say!

SOLDIERS (_kneeling, joyfully_). King Alfred! King Alfred!