A Metrical History of England Or, Recollections, in Rhyme, Of some of the most prominent Features in our National Chronology, from the Landing of Julius Caesar to the Commencement of the Regency, in 1812. In Two Volumes ... By Thomas Dibdin |
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 | A Metrical History of England |  |
111
“A little flattery sometimes does well.”
Shakespeare.
Shakespeare.
“Ely's Monks sang cheerfully,
“When Canute the King was passing by;
“‘Row to the shore, Knights,’ said the King,
“‘And let us hear these Churchmen sing.’”
Written by Canute.—Vide Sturt.
“When Canute the King was passing by;
“‘Row to the shore, Knights,’ said the King,
“‘And let us hear these Churchmen sing.’”
Written by Canute.—Vide Sturt.
CANUTE THE GREAT.
Edmund by Edric thus unjustly slain,
Britons are now sole “liegemen to the Dane;”
Who, less by right than power of the sword,
Of England, Denmark, Norway, is the Lord.
Hence, servile courtiers as they bent the knee,
Hail'd him great master of the land and sea;
His better feeling courts th' unconscious waves,
To roll reproof around his cringing slaves.
Britons are now sole “liegemen to the Dane;”
Who, less by right than power of the sword,
Of England, Denmark, Norway, is the Lord.
Hence, servile courtiers as they bent the knee,
Hail'd him great master of the land and sea;
His better feeling courts th' unconscious waves,
To roll reproof around his cringing slaves.
The Sons of Edmund most unjustly sent
From their inheritance to banishment;
Seek Sweden's aid in vain, and, after, found,
A kind asylum on Hungarian ground.
Canute in four the British state divides,
And Dane and Englishman in turn presides;
Olaus, of Norway, next his arms subdue,
And Scottish Malcolm pays the tribute due.
A splendid pilgrimage to Rome he takes,
And needless homage to the Pontiff makes.
Rebuilt the Abbey, which his sire destroy'd
At Bury, hence new wealth the Monks enjoyed.
To appease Old Edgar Ath'ling's spirit, who,
So legends tell, Canute's great father slew.
As (Pallas taught) Idomeneus of Crete
Gave to the useful arts protection meet;
Some wholsome laws the British Monarch made,
Encouraged genius, and assisted trade.
It has been said, that, “Like Augustus, he
“Shou'd never have been born.” We also see
In the same sentence it has been replied,
That, “being born, he never shou'd have died.”
Unjustly tho' the English crown he gain'd,
Few subjects of his Government complain'd;
Who, finally, to all his people proved
A Sovereign respected, and beloved.
From their inheritance to banishment;
Seek Sweden's aid in vain, and, after, found,
A kind asylum on Hungarian ground.
112
And Dane and Englishman in turn presides;
Olaus, of Norway, next his arms subdue,
And Scottish Malcolm pays the tribute due.
A splendid pilgrimage to Rome he takes,
And needless homage to the Pontiff makes.
Rebuilt the Abbey, which his sire destroy'd
At Bury, hence new wealth the Monks enjoyed.
To appease Old Edgar Ath'ling's spirit, who,
So legends tell, Canute's great father slew.
As (Pallas taught) Idomeneus of Crete
Gave to the useful arts protection meet;
Some wholsome laws the British Monarch made,
Encouraged genius, and assisted trade.
It has been said, that, “Like Augustus, he
“Shou'd never have been born.” We also see
In the same sentence it has been replied,
That, “being born, he never shou'd have died.”
Unjustly tho' the English crown he gain'd,
Few subjects of his Government complain'd;
Who, finally, to all his people proved
A Sovereign respected, and beloved.
| A Metrical History of England | |