Rhyme of the Ancient Winchester
Part Four: These Old Bones
T'was many a season ago
That few can still recall,
I been sitting here so long
And I can still see it all.
I never did care for violence,
Like my bloodthirsty shipmates.
I was just a new cabin boy
Working down in the freight.
We sailed the fair ocean-
Never caught, always free.
I was happy to be there, but
Gold was all the others see.
The Captain wouldn't stop.
Though our hull was sunk low
Weighted with our gluttony and
A lusting mermaid leading our bow.
The world was our oyster-
We took her precious pearls.
We thought we'd seen it all
But here is were it unfurled.
No merchant ship was she-
Her sides to intricate; her design to fine.
Harmless, easy prey for the cannon strapped
Battle ready black flag ship of our kind.
The battle was short, we threw down
Our planks and crossed on to
The most elegant fortune
Guarded by an inexperienced crew.
Their Captain was old, weather beaten.
We brought him forward on his knees,
Gleaming around his neck, a ruby.
He watched us fearfully, "Please…"
Our Captain grabbed the chain
From the wretched man's throat.
"What is your request?" he snarled.
"We're going to destroy your boat."
Their Captain hung his head low.
"Leave me my ruby, it's my cure."
Our Captain kicked him down.
Oh, we should have learned.
That ruby, blood red--
As large as my curled fist.
It glittered so beautifully
Poisoned by immorality's kiss.
As we now know all to well
This isle cannot be seen,
Cannot age, cannot ever die
Because of that ruby's gleam.
We took the ruby and everything
That their ship had obtained.
We killed the fat and spoiled crew
And burned her down to the frame.
Our reward for our work
The Captain freely gave.
He made a map for his treasure
He buried inside of our grave.
Joke is on him though;
He'll never find this isle.
Thanks to that blessed ruby
We can rot in peace all the while.
Now I long to be at rest but I must work.
I always hated my job, it's just as well.
Look around and see what transpired
While you were under my spell.
to be continued