The Works of David Mallet Esq (Volume 3); Alfred, a Masque

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1759. Excerpt: ... And kens his prey from far--But list a while, is sound of human voice, or bleat of flocks May guide our lost enquiry thro this wild. Second Dane. No: all is loneliness around, and hush'd As our dead northern wastes at midnight-hour. Our gods protect us! Prince, it was most rash, So sew our numbers, at this close of day Headlong to plunge amid these horrid shades, Where danger lurks unseen. Firjl Dane. How! know'st thou not That England s no more? Her sons of war, To dens and caverns fled, like fearsul hares Sit trembling at each blast the chill wind blows. Her king himself or sleeps in dust, or roams Wild on the pathless mountain. As for me; OHr country-gods, those spirits that possess The boundless wilderness, that love to dwell With dreary solitude and night profound, Will guard the son of Ivar, to whose house Their vassalage is bound by magic spell. Come on. She must be found, this unknown fair Who sir'd me at sirst view; and rages still A sever in ray youthsul blood. Away. SCENE SCENE VI. Alfred, Corin, advancing. Corin. They are but three.' Alfred. And were that number trebled, This island is their grave; this lacred spot, Fair freedom's last retreat. We must, we will Preserve it, all-inviolate and holy, From impious insidels: or, with our blood, If now we perish, sanctify it's earth For after-times to visit and revere. Corin. List, list, my lord Alfred What noise was that?--By heaven, The shrieks of women! Now, stern vengeance guide The sword we draw. SCENE VII. Emma, and other peafants. Emma. Ah, whither shall we sly? 2 Immortal Immortal virgin! queen os mercy! fave us See, see, my friends, they seize the lovely stranger--They bear her osf--Behold, the king appears--My husband too--Now, heaven, desend alike The mighty and the mean, the prince and p...