King Canute

[dafydd manton]

Canute the wise King was dumbfounded
When all of his minions implied
That he was so awfully clever
He could do as he would with the tide.

Canute the wise King was astounded
When all of his minions were there,
An hour and a bit before high-tide
Complete with his Tide-Turning Chair.

Canute the wise King was suspicious
When all of his minions bet
That, told by the King to go backwards
The sea wouldn't dare make him wet.

Canute the wise King was egregious
So he sat on his chair 'mongst the rocks,
But the Oggin ignored his instructions
And soaked the Imperial Socks.

The sea features oft in our folk-lore.
Flying Dutchmen, or King John's lost loot,
But none there is any more soggy
Than the tale of that silly Canute.

:smilewinkgrin: :crazy:

[PrinceMyshkin]

Great fun - thanks.

[hillwalker]

I echo Prince's laughter - but am surprised you missed the chance to refer to him by his original name at the finish so you could call him a 'silly Cnut'

[dafydd manton]

Self-censorship!! Don't think that the thought didn't cross the mind, but my dear and ancient live-in ma-in-law gets to read all my stuff, and I don't think the old girl's up to it!

[hillwalker]

Interesting thought - murder by limerick.

[Hawkman]

How extraordinary. What made you pick on Canute? I wrote a poem (well nearly wrote a poem about him) the other day. It wasn't very good so I shelved it. Can't even remember why I did now, maybe there was something on the forum which suggested it.

I find your witty little verse a little conflicted though. As we all know, Canute commanded the tide to turn back to prove to his sycophantic courtiers that the tide would not obey him. Yet your concluding verse calls Canute silly, implying that he believed he could turn the tide. How cruel is the hand of the poet in pursiut of a laugh :D

Best, H

[dafydd manton]

About as cruel as you can get! I decided to go along with the more popular story that he was convinced that it would be Canute 1: God 0, just to play devil's advocate. I must have written it about 20 years ago, maybe more, when my kids were taught at school the jingoistic version, rather than the reality. However, when it comes to his reputation versus me getting a cheap laugh, there's no contest!

[Delta40]

very entertaining Dafydd.

[Hawkman]

Were your kids really tought by so ignorant a teacher? God help us all! No wonder the country's gone to the dogs!

[dafydd manton]

Thanks. In stark contrast to the superb imagery of your latest offering, though. I really wish I could write serious stuff, but it nearly always dissolves into the silly.

[dafydd manton]

Were your kids really tought by so ignorant a teacher? God help us all! No wonder the country's gone to the dogs!

British Forces Education Service - need I say more?

[Lokasenna]

Most amusing! You've made me chuckle in the library, and now I'm getting the evil eye from the librarians.

I love this sort of poetry - it's a silly, happy little thing that makes everyone feel better. Good on you!

By the by, should that not be 'his' rather than 'is' in the second line of the penultimate verse?

[dafydd manton]

Most amusing! You've made me chuckle in the library, and now I'm getting the evil eye from the librarians.

I love this sort of poetry - it's a silly, happy little thing that makes everyone feel better. Good on you!

By the by, should that not be 'his' rather than 'is' in the second line of the penultimate verse?


It should indeed - well spotted. I'm not only glad that it's given a few people a giggle, but if I've mangaed to upset a librarian as well, then my work here is done!! I shall attend to the typo immediately, and tighten up on my acuracci.

[LMK]

Well done, Dafydd, once again you have not failed to get a chuckle out of me.

Loved the soggy Imperial socks!

[dafydd manton]

Thanks very much!! Making people giggle is such fun! Laugh, and the world laughs with you. Cry, and your mascara runs!