Children's Classics in Dramatic Form Part 30

TIME: _More than a thousand years ago._ PLACE: _a forest in England._

KING ALFRED.

DANISH CHIEF.

GOODWIFE.

ENGLISH SOLDIERS.

PRINCE.

DANES.

[_A hut is at one side. Near by is a pile of burning f.a.gots. The_ PRINCE _enters from the forest. He carries a great spear. He looks about; creeps to the hut and looks in the window; shows satisfaction; returns to the forest._]

PRINCE (_softly_). All is well. Enter!

(_Enter_ Two ENGLISH SOLDIERS _from forest. They carry large bows and wear quivers holding arrows._)

We are safe here, my men. Tell King Alfred that.

[_The first Soldier salutes and enters forest._]

SECOND SOLDIER. Danes may hide in the hut, Prince--

PRINCE (_shaking head_). There's only an old woman within.

[_Enter_ FIRST SOLDIER. _He holds the bushes and vines aside._]

FIRST SOLDIER. The king!

[_Enter_ KING ALFRED. _He is disguised as a beggar. He is young, manly, and courageous._]

PRINCE (_bowing)._ You can rest safely here, King Alfred.

KING. Do you think the Danes are still in pursuit?

PRINCE. No, your Majesty, I am sure we have escaped them this time.

SECOND SOLDIER. Besides, they would not know your Majesty dressed so.

KING (_anxiously_). Gentlemen, disguise yourselves as you have me.

PRINCE. That will not do, Sire. The Danes must not see you dressed as we are. 'Twill make you safer.

KING. Aye, but there's more danger for you dressed so. Come, be beggars now with me!

FIRST SOLDIER (_shaking head_). Our first thought is for you, Sire.

SECOND SOLDIER. Should you fall into the Danes' hands now, what will become of England?

KING. Why, she must fight again!

PRINCE, (_shaking head_). Our soldiers ran from the Danes to-day, and lost the battle to them!

KING. 'Tis because they fear these Danes as they do monsters,--monsters come to rob them,--to burn their homes,--to make them slaves!

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.