A FACT, AND AN IMAGINATION
CANUTE AND ALFRED, ON THE SEASHORE
A FACT, AND AN IMAGINATION
THE Danish Conqueror, on his royal chair, Mustering a face of haughty sovereignty, To aid a covert purpose, cried–“O ye Approaching Waters of the deep, that share With this green isle my fortunes, come not where Your Master’s throne is set.”–Deaf was the Sea; Her waves rolled on, respecting his decree Less than they heed a breath of wanton air. –Then Canute, rising from the invaded throne, Said to his servile Courtiers,–“Poor the reach, 10 The undisguised extent, of mortal sway! He only is a King, and he alone Deserves the name (this truth the billows preach) Whose everlasting laws, sea, earth, and heaven, obey.” This just reproof the prosperous Dane Drew, from the influx of the main, For some whose rugged northern mouths would strain At oriental flattery; And Canute (fact more worthy to be known) From that time forth did for his brows disown 20 The ostentatious symbol of a crown; Esteeming earthly royalty Contemptible as vain. Now hear what one of elder days, Rich theme of England’s fondest praise, Her darling Alfred, ‘might’ have spoken; To cheer the remnant of his host When he was driven from coast to coast, Distressed and harassed, but with mind unbroken: “My faithful followers, lo! the tide is spent 30 That rose, and steadily advanced to fill The shores and channels, working Nature’s will Among the mazy streams that backward went, And in the sluggish pools where ships are pent: And now, his task performed, the flood stands still, At the green base of many an inland hill, In placid beauty and sublime content! Such the repose that sage and hero find; Such measured rest the sedulous and good Of humbler name; whose souls do, like the flood 40 Of Ocean, press right on; or gently wind, Neither to be diverted nor withstood, Until they reach the bounds by Heaven assigned.” 1816.