Alfred (opera)

Alfred (1740) is a masque written by David Mallet and James Thomson. The masque is about Alfred the Great, and was first performed at Cliveden, country home of Frederick, Prince of Wales, on 1 August 1740, to commemorate the accession of George I and the birthday of the Princess Augusta. It was the vehicle for the British patriotic song "Rule, Britannia!".

Quotes

 * Who has not known ill fortune, never knew Himself, or his own virtue.
 * Act I, Scene I.


 * What proves the hero truly great, Is never, never to despair.
 * Act I, Scene III.


 * Rule Britannia, rule the waves: Britons never will be slaves.
 * Act II, Scene X.