Incipiunt gesta gloriosi regis et martyris Canuti.

Transcursis litoreis remigiis et adiacentium regionum intuitu iam saciatis obtutibus ad altum pelagus tendentes ratis nostrę rimas sollerti industria obstruamus, ne qua uena insidiantis equoris nauigantes intercipiat; et erecto crucis dominicę ligno uela uirtutum in altum resurgant, quo Syrenarum cantus auribus obtusis ueloci Euro perflante discurrentes, herois nostri meritis ad sinum optati portus delatis, anchoram spei nostrę diuinę affigamus clementię, ne spiritualium mercium nauim scopulorum aduersitas intercludat et litorea gaudia, gazis porro uectis iam sparsim unda nantibus, fletuum planctibus admisceat.

Sed qui dixit: »Aperi os tuum, et ego adimplebo illud«, sensus nostri labia et oris dirigat eloquia, ut sic militis eius efferamus preconia, quatinus maiestati illius tractemus complacita.

Here Begin the Deeds of the Glorious King and Martyr Canute

Leaving the shelter of the coast behind us, and with our eyes already satisfied by the sight of shores and neighboring lands, let us now turn our ship toward the open sea. Let us carefully seal the seams of our vessel, so that no hidden current of the treacherous ocean may overwhelm those who sail within it. And once the mast of the Lord’s cross has been raised, let the sails of virtue be spread high, so that, with our ears closed to the songs of the Sirens and a swift east wind blowing, we may be carried by the merits of our hero into the harbor we seek. There let us cast the anchor of our hope in divine mercy, so that the ship laden with spiritual treasures may not be wrecked upon hostile rocks, nor the joy of reaching land be turned to lamentation while its scattered riches drift away upon the waves.

But may He who said, “Open your mouth, and I will fill it,” guide both the lips of our understanding and the words of our speech, so that we may proclaim the praises of His soldier in a manner worthy of His majesty.