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AN

HEROIC POEM,

IN

TWENTY-FOUR BOOKS.

BY JOSEPH COTTLE,

AUTHOR OF

"REMINISCENCES OF COLERIDGE & SOUTHEY."

Fourth Edition.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS,

PATERNOSTER ROW.

1850.

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CONTENTS OF BOOKS.

Alfred meets a beggar, with whom he divides his only loaf. Arrives at Glastonbury

Abbey. Leaves his Queen and Infant Son there. Departs alone to seek some ob-
scure retreat.

Alfred, a menial in the cottage of a Neatherd. Acca upbraids the King for her
burnt cakes. Ceolric the Neatherd, arrives with tidings that Glastonbury Abbey has
been destroyed by the Danes, and all its inhabitants slain: and that Earl Oddune
with his followers, had retreated to Kenwith Castle, before Hubba. Alfred rudely
dismissed to his pallet.

Alfred in the Neatherd's Cottage. Sigbert enters the Cottage with a Child, and
the garment of the King found on the moor. Upbraids Alfred for not being in the
wars, and fighting for his King. The discovery. Led to a grove of firs. Sent to
obtain tidings of Alswitha. Alfred returning to the Cottage in his new garb, is known
by his Child. Surprise of the Cottagers. Ceolric sent to Oddune in Kenwith Castle.
The child left with Acca. The King departs to join his Army in Selwood Forest.

BOOK VI

Sigbert rescues a Cottager and his Daughter, from the assaults of two Danes.
Meets in a ruined abbey a woman who had heard that Alswitha still lived, and claims
to be introduced to the King. Is overtaken by Guthrum the Dane, when the woman
is by him borne away. Sigbert spared to convey a taunting message to Alfred.

BOOK VII.

Alfred meets a company of Saxons fleeing into Wales from Ivar, just landed in
Britain. Persuades them to return. Leads them to his retreat in Selwood Forest.
Joins his troops. Sends heralds to arouse his subjects.

BOOK VIII.

Alfred's interview with a Hermit. Sigbert arrives in the Saxon Camp. Alswitha
discovered to be the Captive borne away by Guthrum.

BOOK IX.

Ceolric's return. Narrates his perils. Alfred resolves to burn Ivar's Fleet. Sig-
bert's violence condemned.

BOOK X.

Alfred's interview with a Witch. The burning of the Danish Fleet.

BOOK XI.

Oddune escapes by night from Kenwith. Meets Alfred. His Narrative. Oswald.
Montalto. Matilda.

BOOK XII.

The Danes attack Kenwith Castle. Find Oddune fled. Arrival of Ivar Death of
Ella. Tidings brought of the burning of the Fleet. Conflict of Hubba and Guthrum.
Restrained by Ivar. Hubba breathes revenge.

BOOK XIII.

Alfred proposes to enter the Danish Camp, disguised as a Harper. Dissuaded by
Oddune. Alfred and Oddune's interview with a Woodman. The King obtains a harp
and rustic dress. Sets out on his exploit.

BOOK XIV.

Alfred's visit to the Danish Camp. His harp endangered. Interference of Guth-
rum. Alfred, (as a Harper) called into the Castle by Guthrum's Daughter. Sees
Alswitha.

Scene the Castle. Present Ivar and Hubba. Wrath of Hubba toward Guthrum.
Guthrum enters. Hubba claims Guthrum's Captive for a Sacrifice. Resisted by
Guthrum. Conflict. Ivar declares Guthrum's Captive shall be sacrificed. Suspends his
resolution. A harp is heard. Ivar commands the Harper to be introduced. Alfred
enters. Feigns madness. Suspected by Hubba to be the god, Lok. Hubba proposes
that Guthrum's Captive shall be present at their next meeting, The Harper ordered
to attend.

Scene: Hall in Kenwith Castle: present, lvar, Hubba, Guthrum, and the Harper.
Alswitha is led in by Guthrum's Daughter. Hubba claims her for a sacrifice. Re-
sisted by Guthrum. Ivar accedes to her being sacrificed. Retracts from recollecting
his oath. Alfred and Alswitha respond to each other on the harp. A spy arrives
with information respecting Alfred.

Alfred leaves the Danish Camp. While returning to Selwood meets Sigbert. Sends
him to the Cottage at Ethelney. Alfred approaches the Woodman's Cottage. Finds
the aged pair slain. Gives them burial. Joins his Troops. Marches to meet the
enemy. Beholds the Danish Army advancing. Both the Danes and Alfred retire to
neighbouring hills. Oddune sent with a summons to the Foe.

At the break of day Alfred conducts his army into the plain to meet the Danes.
Dissensions in the Enemy's Camp. Ivar reflects on Hubba. His resentment. Hub-
ba and Ivar restrained from battle by Guthrum. Reconciliation till Alfred is con-
quered. The Danes, on beholding the Saxon Army advancing, descend into the plain
to meet the conflict. The great battle of Eddington.

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