And swordless with his harp and rags,He seemed a beggar, such as lags Looking for crusts and ale.
And the woman, with a woman's eyes Of pity at once and ire,Said, when that she had glared a span,"There is a cake for any man If he will watch the fire."
And Alfred, bowing heavily, Sat down the fire to stir,And even as the woman pitied him So did he pity her;
Saying, "O great heart in the night, O best cast forth for worst,Twilight shall melt and morning stir,And no kind thing shall come to her,Till God shall turn the world over And all the last are first.
"And well may God with the serving-folk Cast in His dreadful lot;Is not He too a servant And is not He forgot?
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