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XVI

The Rebels' Outrages. The Rebellion Breaks Out

The History of King Sweyn Estridsson and His Sons and of the Martyrdom of King Canute the Holy

To continue the account: the executors and collectors of royal business pressed matters beyond what was just. They exaggerated charges, increased weights on the scales, devalued goods of every kind, and — put plainly — scarcely reckoned an ounce to be worth even a fraction of its proper value. They perverted judgments, as is reported, and sought to oppress nobles and commoners alike through force and power.

Provoked by their insolence, many people were embittered. Elders, inflamed by anger and envy alike, resolved to rise against the king himself with counsel and arms. Messengers were sent far and wide, calling for what they believed to be the public redress of grievances — both against the king and against his officials.

Thus the agents of impiety and madness rushed about, not only urging on those already inclined toward crime, but also stirring up the minds of the simple and innocent, so that accomplices to wickedness might multiply and the rule of truth and justice be overturned everywhere.

Alas! Lawlessness rose in abundance, while love grew cold and weak. What was right was trampled down, and what was wrong was exalted. The people were driven toward every crime and, like a beast prepared to devour, thirsted to be filled with royal blood. They strengthened their arms with weapons and sharpened their spirits with cruelty. And — horrible to say — they feared only that time might fail their crime, and that their fury might cool before every work of wickedness had been fulfilled.

But what comes of this, O madness, and where does such violence lead?

That the people should rise in rage against their king?

Look, insane crowd — what will flow from this upon you?

Plague will come; herds will fall to disease,

So that the ox fails and the cow yields nothing.

The fields will return a thin, barren, and cursed harvest;

Hardly any land will repay seed with fruit.

Acorns will fail in the forests, shoots in the fields;

You will lose an abundance of milk and the sweetness of honey.

Livestock will perish; fish will die in the waters;

Harsh famine will strike down people as they waste away.

And you — who now disdain to bow your neck

To your rightful ruler — will lie beneath the rule of Hell.