Alfred. What do you mean, dear lady mother?
Queen. This is a book I greatly enjoy, for it is full of the tales of the mighty King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. You will like to hear me read these brave stories when you are tired with your day's work, or on rainy days when you can neither hunt nor ride. Then you know not how to amuse yourselves and time is heavy on your hands, since you can neither read nor play upon the musical instruments that give us so much pleasure.
Ethelred. The book is so lovely. Let me take it, lady mother!
Queen. I would that the children of my royal husband could read the book.
Ethelbald. Our father does not think much of books and music. He likes to hunt and fight, and so do I.
Ethelred. And I love to hunt, but I love to hear the stories of great kings and warriors, too.
Alfred. To which of us wilt thou give the book, lady mother?
Queen. I will bestow it on him who shall first learn how to read it.
Alfred. Will you really, dear mother?
Queen. Yes, upon the faith of a queen, I will. I will not give it to one who cannot read it. Books are meant for the learned and not for the ignorant. The sons of a king should cease to play with toys.