The King enters the hut. Enter_ DANISH CHIEF _and_ DANES _from the
forest. They carry spears and shields._]

GOODWIFE (_with fear; dropping stick_). The Danes!

CHIEF (_haughtily)._ Aye, Danes!

GOODWIFE. I have no silver! Not a piece, sir!

CHIEF. Burn the hut, men!

DANES. Aye! Aye!

[_They start toward the hut. The Goodwife falls on her knees before
them._]

GOODWIFE. I pray you, spare my home!

[Illustration: "NOT ONE OF THEM FIT TO EAT!"]

CHIEF. We spare no home to any English. Do you not know that?

GOODWIFE. I've heard so--

FIRST DANE. We'll burn every home on English land before we go!

SECOND DANE. And drive every Englishman into the seas!

DANES. Aye! Aye!

GOODWIFE (_sobbing)._ I pray you--

CHIEF (_roughly)._ Come, get up! Get up and cease your weeping! I like
it not. Get up, I say!

[_Goodwife rises, trembling with fear._]

CHIEF. Now listen; we will not burn your hut, if you will tell us what
we wish to know.

GOODWIFE. I will tell you what I can--

CHIEF. Did King Alfred pass this way in flight?

GOODWIFE (_starting_). What? Our king in flight?

CHIEF (_angrily_). Come, no tears for him! Did he pass this way, I say?

GOODWIFE. No, my lord.

FIRST DANE. Do not believe her, chief! There's not an Englishman that
would not hide him from us!

GOODWIFE (_forgetting her fear_). Aye, and die for him!

CHIEF (_angrily)._ Say not such words to me! I am your king that is to
be!

DANES. Aye! Aye!

CHIEF. Go search within the hut, Danes!

[_Danes enter hut. They come out immediately bringing King Alfred._]

FIRST DANE. We found this man within, chief.

SECOND DANE. 'Tis only her husband, I think.

GOODWIFE (_indignantly_). _Husband_, say you?--that beggar!

CHIEF (_showing suspicion_). Ah, a beggar--!

GOODWIFE. Yes, my lord, he came but just before you.

FIRST DANE (_whispering_). Hear that, my lord,--just before us!

SECOND DANE (_whispering_). It may be King Alfred!

THIRD DANE (_whispering_). Disguised as a beggar, sir!

FOURTH DANE (_whispering_). 'Twould be safest to take him prisoner, my
lord!

CHIEF (_nodding_). We'll take him with us to be certain.

GOODWIFE (_hearing this_). Yes, take him! 'Twould serve him right! He
burnt my cakes just now!

CHIEF. What! Burnt your cakes?

GOODWIFE. Yes, my lord! And I'd have beaten him had not your lordship
come.

CHIEF (_aside to Danes_). This cannot be the king.

FIRST DANE (_shaking head_). No king would fry ca