Bibliotheca Arnamagnæana - 01.06.2003, Qupperneq 163

Liturgy of St Knud Lavard
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because they were very good. Now at that time the day of Our Lord’s Nativity
was approaching and the royal court was to assemble in Roskilde. The duke had
been invited and was making haste to depart, but his wife, anticipating the out-
come in her mind, urged him wholly to desist from that journey. But the inno-
cence of his heart persuaded the just man it would be safe to go. He said, I tell
you: “We cannot allow our mind to be influenced by the suggestion of a timo-
rous woman. Of what benefit to anyone is friendly trust, proximity of kinship, or
a faithful pact, if any hesitancy should hold me back from this journey on which
I am now departing?” No more need be said. He went ahead with his plan, took
ship, and arrived at court. Here both high and low received the noble duke with
attention and respect.
Fifth respond (§ 2b:2:l:2). Early manhood approaches and the fruit of grace,
virtue, and redemption becomes apparent. * Through this fruit the Danish nation
is released from the yoke of slavery.
Knud is appointed duke in the kingdom and commander of the army. *
Through this fruit, etc.
Sixth lesson of the Passion (§ 2b:2:2:l). Now Magnus, to whom Duke Knud all
too confidently entrusted himself, speculated day and night how he might deli-
ver the innocent one up to death. Assisting in this false man’s plan to betray his
brother, Henrik Skadelår induced three noblemen in particular to join him, men
whom he believed to be more capable of evil than others. One of them was
Count Ubbe, the second Hakon the Norwegian, and the third Hakon from Skåne.
The four of them swore that none should reveal the other’s plan, and threw
themselves on the ground when about to discuss their treachery. It was a elever
device whereby those evil men prostrated themselves, agreeing that if any of
them as a result of all this should be accused, he would be able unconditionally
to swear that he had not been present walking, sitting, or standing. But what of
that? Truth, which deceives no one, cannot be deceived by anyone. Hakon from
Skåne, realising that his comrades thirsted after the innocent man’s biood, with-
drew from the counsel of the ungodly, wishing neither to be a party to their am-
bush nor to kill the innocent one. Magnus, having finally decided that the three
aforementioned were definitely willing to commit the crime he had long since
proposed, desired not to delay the fulfilment in deed of what he had conceived in
his mind. And so the traitor went to his father’s court and, veiling his deceitful
intent under a show of piety, declared in public that he intended to go on pil-
grimage. Then he began to consult the holy duke as a close friend about his false
vow, saying: “Faithful brother, having found you only beyond all other mortals
to have no trace of falsehood in you, I have resolved to follow your advice in or-
dering myself and mine in this present business. For we are United by bonds of
trust and kinship, and therefore neither you nor I can be separated for any reason