68 FIFTH VENING.

Oswald. We are all your slaves; we kiss the dust
of your feet.

Offa. Not only we, but even the elements, are
your slaves. The land obeys you from shore to
shore; and the sea obeys you.

Canute. Does the sea, with its loud boisterous
waves, obey me? Will that terrible element be still
at my bidding ?

Offa. Yes, the sea is yours; it was made to bear
your ships upon its bosom, and to pour the treasures
of the world at your royal feet. It is boisterous to
your eneinies, but it knows you to be its sovereign.

Canute. {s not the tide coming up?

Oswald. Yes, my liege; you may perceive the swell
already.

Canute. Bring me a chair, then; set 1t here upon
the sands.

Offa. Where the tide 1s coming up, my gracious
lord?

Canute. Yes, set it just here.

Oswald (aside). I wonder what he is going to do!

Offa (aside). Surely he is not such a fool as to
believe us!

Canute. O, mighty Ocean! thou art my subject; my
courtiers tell me so; and it is thy bounden duty to
obey me. Thus, then, I stretch my seeptre over thee,
and command thee to retire. Roll back thy swelling
wares, nor let them presu.ne to wet the feet of me,
thy royal master.

Oswald (aside). I believe the sca will pay very little
regard to his royal commands.

Offa. See how fast the tide rises!

Oswald. The next wave will come up to the chair.
It is a folly to stay; we shall be covered with sgalt-
water.

Canute. Well, does the sea obey my commands ?
tf it be my subject, it is a very rebellious subjcet.
See how it swells, and dashes the angry foam and salt
Wwray over my sacred person. Vile sycophants! did