< Previous |
Index |
Next > |
by Marriott Edgar
Illustrations by John Hassall
Canute the Great is a monologue written in 1933 by Marriott Edgar.
The poem is based loosely on Cnut, a Danish prince who became England's king in 1016, also the king of Denmark in 1018, Norway in 1028 and a few other Gaelic kingdoms later on. Little wonder he is known as 'Cnut the Great'.
He is also known for a spectacular stunt which involved commanding the waves of the sea to retreat and not wet his regal toes. His attempt failed and he used this as proof that whilst he held multiple kingdoms, only God had the power to control the waves.
The precise details of what actually happened, plus any thread of truth in this legend, have been lost in history. Fortunately, however, Marriott Edgar has put the record straight with the following poem.
I'll tell of Canute, King of England, By trade he were what's called a Viking, By trade he were a Viking These trips always showed him a profit, | |
After duly considering the matter, Other Vikings joining He got other Vikings to join him, They landed one morning at Weymouth, |
Made Queen Emma his bride |
When the battle were done, Crown of England, The Vikings was cheered as the winners, She started to teach him his manners, She said his companions was vulgar, At the time this 'ere promise meant nothing, |
He moved his court down to the seaside, Said one, "Come on King, have a paddle, "No need to do that," said the Tempter, |
Moving his court to the seaside |
Tempting the King to paddle |
And that's how it happened... that later, For not letting on that he'd seen her, He replied, These 'ere flatterers told me, "You're doing quite right," shouted Emma, |