ired of their vain words.

One day, as he walked with his lords on the sea-shore, one of them told
him that even the waves would obey him.

"Bring a chair," said Canute, "and place it close to the water."

The chair was brought, and set upon the sand, and the king sat down and
spoke to the waves.

"I command you to come no farther," cried he.

But the waves came on and on, until they wetted Canute's feet, and
splashed his chair.

Then the king rose and went to his lords, who were standing a little way
off, staring at their master, and talking in low tones about his strange
conduct.

"Learn from this to keep your tongues from idle praise," said he
sternly. "No king is great and powerful but God. He only can say to the
sea: 'Thus far shalt thou come, and no farther.'"

[Illustration: CANUTE ORDERS THE TIDE TO STOP]

=The Brave Men of Calais=

Many years ago, King Edward III of England took the town of Calais from
the French king. He could not take it by force, for the walls were very
strong, but he succeeded by another plan. He placed his soldiers all
round the walls, and would let no one go into the town to take food to
the people. Inside the walls, the people waited bravely, but at last all
their food was eaten, and then they knew that if they tried to hold the
town any longer they would starve.

So the governor sent word to King Edward that he would give up the city,
and begged him to have mercy on the people.

But Edward was angry. "Tell your masters," said he to the messenger,
"that I will not spare the people unless six of the chief men come out
to me, with their feet bare, and ropes around their necks."

At this sad news, the poor starving people cried aloud. But soon six
brave men were found who were ready to die for their countrymen, and,
with their feet bare and ropes around their necks, they went out to the
place where King Edward was waiting, with Queen Philippa and the English
nobles.

"Great king!" said the men, "we bring you the keys of our town, and we
pray you to have mercy on us."

But the king would not listen. "Take them away and cut off their heads,"
he cried angrily. And when his nobles begged him to spare such brave
enemies he would not listen to them.

[Illustration: QUEEN PHILIPPA PLEADS FOR THE MEN OF CALAIS]

Then Queen Philippa, whose heart was filled with pity for the poor men,
fell upon her knees.

"My lord," she cried, "if you love me, give me the lives of thes