Genesis – Can utility and the coastliners

The scattered pages of a book by the sea
Held by the sand, washed by the waves
A shadow forms cast by a cloud,
Skimming by as eyes of the past, but the rising tide
Absorbs them effortlessly claiming.

They told of one who tired of all singing,
“Praise him, praise him.”
“We heed not flatterers,” he cried,
“By our command, waters retreat,
Show my power, halt at my feet,”
But the cause was lost,
Now cold winds blow.

Far from the north overcast ranks advance
Fear of the storm accusing with rage and scorn.
The waves surround the sinking throne
Singing “Crown him, crown him,”
“Those who love our majesty show themselves!”
All bent their knees.

But he forced a smile even though
His hopes lay dashed where offerings fell (where they fell).
“Nothing can my peace destroy as long as none smile.”
More opened ears and opened eyes,
And soon they dared to laugh.
See a little man with his face turning red
Though his story’s often told you can tell he’s dead.

King Canute (Born circa AD 994 – died 12th November 1035)

Legend of the waves

King Canute of England is best remembered for the story of how he commanded the waves to go back. According to oral tradition, he grew tired of flattery by the locals. “You are the greatest man that ever lived,” one would say. “O king, there can never be another as mighty as you,” another would say. “Great Canute, you are the monarch of all, nothing in this world would dare to disobey you.” When one such flatterer said the king could command the obedience of the sea, the King proved him wrong by practical demonstration on the foreshore.

“Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings. For there is none worthy of the name but God, whom heaven, earth and sea obey”.

So spoke the King, seated on his throne with the waves lapping around his feet. “Go back, sea!” he commanded time and again, but the tide continued as expected. Canute put it to his courtiers that the sea was not obeying him and insisted they stay there until they admitted it.

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El Rey Canute de Inglaterra es recordado por la historia de cómo ordenó retroceder a las olas del mar. De acuerdo con la tradición oral, creció cansado de escuchar elogios exagerados sobre su persona. Uno decía “Tú eres el hombre más grande que alguna vez vivió”. Otro “Oh Rey, nunca podrá haber nadie tan fuerte como tú”. “Gran Canute, tú eres el monarca de todo, nada en este mundo se atrevería a desobedecerte”. Cuando uno de estos aduladores dijo que el rey podría ordenar la obediencia del mar, el Rey probó su error mediante una demostración práctica en la costa.

“Hagan saber a todos los hombres qué tan vacío y sin valor es el poder de los reyes. No hay ninguno digno de llamarse así, sólo Dios, a quién el cielo, la tierra y el mar obedecen”.

El Rey, sentado en su trono con las olas mojando sus pies ordenó ¡”Vuelve atrás, mar!” una y otra vez, pero la marea siguió subiendo, como era de esperar. Canute, entonces, dijo a sus cortesanos que el mar no le obedecía e insistió en que se quedaran allí hasta que lo admitieron.