Odulph. Well will I serve thee, my royal lord. It is not well for the king to fare alone.
Alfred. I am well content to serve myself, or even to be servant to others, until a happier time shall come. If Odulph desires to serve me, it shall be by bringing good tidings of your success with my people. When the time comes that we may again fight for our country, let him bring me the welcome message. Then we will free our country from the Danish yoke.
Oscar. Farewell, my royal master, since thou wilt have it so.
Odulph. And may the time soon come when I shall bring the message to thee!
Alfred. Farewell, my loyal friends. All will be well.
Scene III.—In the Peasant's Home
King Alfred, Peasant Cudred, Wife Switha
Alfred. Save you, good father! May a Saxon stranger, whom the Danish robbers have made homeless, share a lodging with thy master's cattle for the night?
Cudred. Wilt thou swear to me that thou art not a Dane in disguise?
Alfred. I say to thee, my friend, I am no Dane, but a true Saxon.