comparing self to western european kings, vol I

idle thoughts come to an idle man
what made Ethelred unready?
what made Louis pious and Alfred great?

actually the smart folk have got it figured out
unready was a pun
on his name
which means noble counsel
saying he had none
and so it’s better translated as ill-advised

I am far from pious
and won’t be achieving greatness
oftimes I’m unready
and certainly ill-advised from time to time
so it’s to Ethelred that I pledge my allegiance

Ethelred the ill-advised
a relatable role model
although Charles the Fat and Charles the Bald
are also worth a mention

Advertisement