itha._ Let me hold the torch and see this Saxon guest. Thou lookest
like a guest of fashion, sorry fellow!

_Cudred._ Cease thy scolding talk, woman! I see by this light that our
guest hath not been used to beg for charity from such as thou. Why be so
hard of heart and by thy rude taunts make bitter the food he must
receive from our hands?

_Switha._ I have heard that charity begins at home, and I am sure we are
poor enough.

_Cudred._ Not poor enough to refuse food to the hungry, such as it is.
Here is fish, and here an oaten cake which you wish to taste.

_Alfred._ Thanks for your goodness, kind host. Indeed, I am hungry.

_Switha._ You eat like a hungry wolf.

_Alfred._ And now I am hungry no longer. I thank you both for a good
supper, and I hope you will never be sorry you have given charity to a
stranger. Now, Cudred, I shall be glad to sleep.

_Cudred._ This way, then, to the bed of straw. Now, tell me truly, art
thou not some mighty earl in disguise?

_Alfred._ I am Alfred, thy king--I know from thy goodness to me when
thou thoughtest me a beggar that thou art a good man, therefore I
confide in thee. I know thou wilt not betray thy king.

_Cudred._ Not all the gold of Denmark should tempt me to commit so base
a crime, but we must not let Switha know who thou art, my royal master.

_Alfred._ I shall be careful. Soon, I hope, my friends will bring me
word that my army awaits me, when I shall again try to set my country
free.

SCENE IV.--_In the Peasant's Hut_

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