Deuising howe he might his foe deface,

By wrath of warre the cause they did decide:

And in the ende the realme they did deuide:

Edmunde had halfe, Canutus had the rest,

Then they with peace and quietnesse were blest.[1247]

4.

O blinde beleefe, O hope of higher hope,

Why did you moue my minde to meditate,

Howe I in woe king Edmunde might inwrap,

And howe I might depresse my kinge’s estate?