KING CANUTE

" Live these fifty years I " the bishop roared, with

actions made to suit.
" Are you mad, my good lord keeper, thus to speak

of King Canute !
Men have lived a thousand years, and sure his majesty

will do't.

" Did not once the Jewish captain stay the sun upon

the hill,
And, the while he slew the foemen, bid the silver

moon stand still ?
So, no doubt, could gracious Canute, if it were his

sacred will."

" Might I stay the sun above us, good Sir Bishop ? "

Canute cried ;
" Could I bid the silver moon to pause upon her

heavenly ride ?
If the moon obeys my orders, sure I can command

the tide."

" Will the advancing waves obey me, bishop, if I
make the sign ?" 10

Said the bishop, bowing lowly, " Land and sea, my
lord are thine."

Canute turned towards the ocean—" Back ! " he
said, " thou foaming brine I "

But the sullen ocean answered with a louder, deeper
roar,
And the rapid waves drew nearer, falling sounding on
the shore ;
Back the keeper and the bishop, back the king and
courtiers bore.