Let me bide for a time till I am stronger in these deep things." He tried to persuade me gently, but at last let me be, knowing that I spoke in earnest and with all wish to seek it rightly.
So we left him on the day after we came, and went back to Athelney, and Alfred was very silent all the way.
"What ails you, my king ?" I asked him at last, fearing that his pain, which had left him of late altogether, might return.
"I will tell you, cousin," he said.

"Plainly has Neot shown me that all these troubles have come from my own pride and self will when first I was king.

It is a long chain of happenings, of which you would know nought were I to try to tell you.

But so it has been, and I weep therefor in my very heart." Then said I: "What is past is past, King Alfred, and best friend.

Look on to the days to come, for I think that there shall rise a new and happier England before the winter comes again.