Claribel Author:William James Linton Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THREE ENGLISHMEN KING ALFRED WHAT need more seeming dire than Alfred's was, Fleeing from Chippenham that winter night ? Poor comfort found he in the w... more »oods and fens. In his sure heart alone might faith alight To breathe and wait occasion for new strife. The snow fell softly over Wiltshire downs— Hiding the horse of chalk out there by Calne— When Alfred, having hunted Guthrun north, Sat down to keep the feast of Epiphany Within his walls, secure from all molest. The Danish cavalry came o'er the snow With noiseless speed ; burst through the city gates, And drove dismay through all the Saxon power Or ever there was time to clutch a brand. Right on the easy town that avalanche Roll'd, whelming, crushing down the revelers ; Only some few, half-arm'd, escaped in the dark, Across the Avon, out to the dreary wilds. Seven years had Alfred waged unresting war : Nine battles in one year the king had fought. For ever, as one swarm of Danes was crush'd, New swarms rode in upon the ocean-wind : Much as, when one essays to outtread a fire, Fast as this flame expires, yon scattering sparks Inflame quick embers in some other place. Even so those hydra-natured pirates throve. Now all was ablaze again throughout the land : Our first sea victories, Warham's promised peace, And the late gain at Execester,— all nought; Victorious Alfred a poor fugitive, Counted as dead by both his foes and friends, His friends dispersed—none daring look for him, His wide realm narrow'd to a forest lair, Nor power nor vantage-ground save in himself. But whoso holds from God a steadfast will May laugh in the teeth of the most gaunt Despair ; Nay, even yoke that beast to pull the car Of his triumphal course above the years. Follow, light Hope !— thou armourer to a king—...« less