Look on the tumbling waves,

Seething and white

Why do the dolphins play?

What speeds their flight?

When the north wind is whistling,

Boisterous and free,

Why beats exulting

My own heart with glee?

Say why scream'd the eagle,

Why roam'd the wolf so? Why leap thus the dolphins,

What bids the gale blow?

He is so big o' bone, and yonder scar

Looks nobler than his crown. [Aside.] A word, Sir

Scald !

I know you and you're safe.- (A noble foe!

I can scarce keep from laughing with delight,—
Yes! I could give him all that I possess,

So he would fight me now.)- Here, take my sword!

It is a gift

DANISH HARPER.

'Sblood! he will give him all!

[Aside. Strikes in and sings :—

Ye joined the song that Sewold sang,
When Norway's rocks in echoes rang

To the singing chief and the shouting crew,

To the whistling cordage and the clang

Of the disturbed seamew.

He stood to the helm, and poured forth his song, "Three joys of right to the brave belong!"

Ye joined the fight that Sewold fought
When 'gainst the Saxon foes he brought
Scarcely a hundred Danish men ;
Long was the fight and fierce the sport,

And our first joy was then.

Our second joy is quickly told,

We pillaged the church, and we bore off the gold.

Ye seized the arms of the

dead, gory

"What chief is that with his hair dyed red?

"He lies on a couch of foemen slain;

"The ravens on his eyes have fed,

"And tasted of his brain."

The moon breaks through yon fleecy cloud

"Tis he, ye Danes! Sewold the proud.

Our last joy yet to the dregs we'll drain,
Yes! vengeance, vengeance for the slain!

Will this joy cloy? I tell ye no!
Vengeance, vengeance! shout again

Dash down yon Saxon, ho!

[Throwing down his harp and seizing ALFRED

assembly at the same moment rushing on him.

GUTHRUM.

the whole

Back, madmen! he's our guest-Here, Sedrock, Ubbo!

Do you conduct this noble forth the camp.

Is he a noble ?

SEDROCK.

GUTHRUM.

Yes, protect him well.

When shall we meet again?

ALFRED.

To-morrow.

GUTHRUM.

Thanks!

[Curtain falls on the confused attitudes of the feasters, SEDROCK, UBBO, and ALFRED making towards the entrance of the tent.

ACT II.

SCENE I.

EDUNA'S Tent-part of it left open, admitting a distant view of the Country.-EDUNA and ALICE, the latter being decked out with flowers for the sacrifice — two Serving-maids behind.

EDUNA.

Play not so silently with those meek flowers;

Speak to me, Alice!

ALICE.

There is no hope, lady!

Weep not for me, ah! these are useless drops;

Tears are the dew of hope, shed none for me;
Besides, they are infectious, foolish things,

And talking of them makes my eyelids throb.

EDUNA.

Even the violets are tearless now,

The dew has left their eyne.