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115 Läsebok. N:o 77 — 78.
Alfred. You could not love Alfred better than I did.
Gubba. But what has become of him ?
Alfred. He is thought to be dead.
Gubba. Well, these are sad times; Heaven help us!
Come, you shall be welcome to share the brown loaf with us;
1 suppose you are too hungry to be dainty.
Gandelin. Ay, come with us, you shall be as welcome
as a prince! But hark ye, husband; though I am very
willing to be charitable to this stranger (it would be a sin to
be otherwise), yet there is no reason he should not do
something to maintain himself, he looks strong and healthy.
Gubba. Why, that’s true. What can you do, friend?
Alfred. I am very willing to help you in anything you
choose to set me about. It will please me best to earn my
bread, before 1 eat it.
Gubba. Let me see. Can you tie up fagots neatly?
Alfred. I have never been used to it; I am afraid I
should be awkward.
Gubba. Can you thatch? There is a piece blown off
the cow-house.
Alfred. Alas! I cannot thatch.
Gandelin. Ask him, if he can weave rushes; we want
some new baskets.
Alfred. I have never learned it.
Gubba. Can you stack bay?
Alfred. No.
Gubba. Why, here’s a fellow! and yet he has as many
pair of hands as his neighbours. Dame, can you employ him
in the house? He might lay wood on the fire, and rub
the tables.
Gandelin. Let him watch these cakes, then; I must go
and milk the cows.
Gubba. And I will go and stack the wood, since supper
is not ready.
Gandelin. But pray, observe, friend! do not let the
cakes burn; turn them often on the hearth.
Alfred. I shall observe your directions.
Exeunt.
Scene 111.
Alfred (alone.) For myself I could bear it; but
England, my bleeding country, for thee my heart is wrung with
bitter anguish! From the Humber to the Thames the rivers
are stained with blood! — My brave soldiers cut to pieces!
— My poor people — some massacred, others driven from
their warm homes, stripped, abused, insulted; and 1, whom
Heaven appointed their shepherd, unable to rescue my
defenceless flock from the ravenous jaws of these devourers!
— Gracious Heaven! if I am not worthy to save this land
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