Chapter 36

KING ALFRED, SWITHA

_King Alfred._ It rains so hard to-day that I cannot hunt, so will mend my bow and make some new arrows. May I sit by your fire, good dame Switha?

_Switha._ Yes, and as I have made a good batch of cakes you might watch them bake.

_Alfred._ Gladly will I watch them. Show me what I must do.

_Switha._ Turn them often before the fire, thus, so that they will not burn. Now I will go for more wood for the fire.

_Alfred._ How long, I wonder, must I remain in hiding. It is very hard to wait. If only I knew how my people were faring. Will the time never come when I can rule over England and unite my people? So many plans have I for their happiness and progress. Schools we must have. The Bible must be translated for the people to read. Roads must be built and the country made safe for all. How long must I sit in Cudred's cottage mending arrows when my heart wishes to help my suffering people!

_Switha_ (_running in_). I thought I smelled them burning! Oh, thou lazy, useless fellow! Thou art ready enough to eat the cakes, but too lazy to keep them from burning. No wonder thou hast no home, idle as thou art.

_Alfred._ I pray thee, good dame, forgive me. I was lost in thought of happier days and forgot my duty. Really I am sorry.

_Switha._ Ay, ay, that is always the way with thee. That smooth tongue of thine is better to thee than silver or gold; for it obtains for thee food, lodging, and friends, and softens all the wrath thy faults provoke. However, I shall set by all the burnt cakes for thy portion of the week's bread, I promise thee; and thou shalt have no other till they are all eaten.

_Alfred._ My good mistress, here comes a pilgrim boy to ask thy charity. May I bestow one of these cakes on him?

_Switha._ Thou mayest do what thou wilt with thine own, man! but do not presume to give away my property to idle fellows like thyself.

_Alfred._ But, mistress, may I not give him that which was to have been my portion for dinner?

_Switha._ No, indeed! I have enough to do with feeding one vagrant without adding all the lazy pilgrims who pass by.

_Alfred._ See, mistress, my amulet! I will give thee this jewel, Switha, if thou wilt permit me to feed this poor pilgrim.

_Switha._ Very well, then. Give him thy portion while I go and hide the jewel.

[_Goes out as Odulph enters._]

_Alfred._ Welcome, Odulph! Tell me thy tidings. I hunger for good news.

_Odulph._ My tidings, royal Alfred, are these: Hubba, the Dane, the terror of England, is slain, and his banner of the Raven waves in my father's hall!

_Alfred._ What? Is thy father's castle in the possession of the Danes?

_Odulph._ Not so, my royal master; but the banner of the Danes, captured by your victorious Saxons, hangs in his hall. We were pent up in the castle by the Danes till our provisions failed. When the last loaf was eaten, and our archers had launched their last arrows, my valiant father led the garrison in an attack upon the foe.

_Alfred._ Brave Oscar! And you defeated them!

_Odulph._ Yes, because of the carelessness of the Danes. They believed they had us in their power, and they never dreamed we would leave the castle walls. Few as we were, we fell upon them and slew their chiefs. The soldiers fled, and left our men victorious. Then my father raised the cry, "Alfred the king!" All the country is calling, "Alfred the king!"

_Alfred._ The time is ripe. I thank you, Odulph. Your father is a noble man, and I shall know how to show a king's gratitude to you both. Shall we go?

_Odulph._ Lead on, King Alfred, England is ready. Soon you shall head your army shouting, "Long live King Alfred!"

ROBIN HOOD AND THE SAD KNIGHT

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--ROBIN HOOD, LITTLE JOHN, MIDGE, WILL SCARLET, THE ABBOT, THE KNIGHT, THE PRIOR, THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE, THE LADY