Bibliotheca Arnamagnæana - 01.06.2003, Page 161

Liturgy of St Knud Lavard
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flock, which formerly had been fearful even in the safer places, now grazed and
laid themselves down in the hiding-places of the enemy, in the dens of robbers,
and in the havens of pirates, because there was no one left to terrify them; for all
could dwell freely on each and every coast. If any man had lost an ox or horse
through theft or robbery, for two or three days the animal was to be looked for in
case it was roaming the countryside. But if it was not found, it was the duty of
the duke’s men to retrieve it, and they, if they caught the thief with his loot, did
justice on the spot. There was a certain man, noble of birth but evil in his ways,
who had often been accused but chose not to desist from his insolence; powerful
as he was, he thought it a matter of no moment to hurt the poor and oppress his
neighbours. In due course the duke, while visiting Skåne, heard that this man
held the law in contempt, despised justice, and neither feared God nor respected
men. On leaming this the duke was troubled and retumed to Jutland, not even
sleeping until he arrived there. Immediately the miscreant was summoned be-
fore him, accused and found guilty, and sentenced by the just judge to be
hanged. Then he said to the duke: “I am your near kinsman. Do not bring shame
on your own high rank!” To which the duke replied: “Just because you are so
nearly related to me, you shall be raised up higher than others in your punish-
ment. For, to the very same degree that you rank above others, so much higher
shall you be hanged than them!” And so it was done: they fetched a ship’s mast
and erected it on the top of a hili, and here the evildoer was hanged, thus de-
servedly ending his undeserving life. And criminals, observing how the just
judge did not even spare offenders who were his kinsmen, were now afraid to
presume to commit theft or robbery.
Third respond (§ 2a:2:3:2). When this had been determined for Knud as his
father had duly disposed, and when farewells had been said, Harald assumed the
right of kingship. * Beginning with a generous pledge the king went eagerly on
his way.
The boy remained with his kinsmen, and gratefully the father set out on pil-
grimage with the mother. * Beginning with a generous pledge, etc.
Fourth lesson of the Passion (§ 2a:2:4:l). When peace had been established in
his country, the duke put his trust neither in men nor in strength of numbers, but
rather in the Lord. He entered Wendish territory with a small escort, and where a
hundred men had been afraid of death he proceeded safely with only two atten-
dants. Then, he being honourably received and reverently treated by both nobi-
lity and populace, by general assent that territory was committed to his govem-
ment and he loyally United it with the Danish kingdom under a pledge of peace.
In all things he dealt prosperously, for the hånd of the Lord was with him. And
rightly so, for the higher he rose and the more powerful he became, so much
humbler and kinder did he appear to all men. In him sprang forth a prudent and