A smart, cultured man from Wales took to sea.
In service, a fine navigator was he.
In Welsh did he speak with his captain, secrets.
But clean did he keep all his ways, no regrets.
This fine gentleman took no rum, only tea,
Celebrating with beer, at most, did he.
And dressing as well as he might, the gallant,
And outspoken, lucky, star-finder did want.
When, at last, his captain was tricked in a ruse,
The crew made him their chief for that cruise.
Having "muddied his hands", he accepted with pride.
And led them to fortunes, a certain high tide.
A nigh-fearless soul, his courage heroic,
He sailed in with his flag, and struck others stoic.
He held up a timer with Death to show them
That their sand was running quite low, there and then.
This scurge took more ships in two or three years
Then a handful of pirates, throughout their careers.
Some 470 are known to his name,
And 11 articles from him are his fame.
He died by grapeshot that blew out his throat,
While his crew was too drunk on that last boat.
They weighted and wrapped him, then sent him down,
By his order, a burial at sea, never found.
Author notes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartholomew_Roberts
"In an honest service there is thin commons, low wages, and hard labour. In this, plenty and satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty and power; and who would not balance creditor on this side, when all the hazard that is run for it, at worst is only a sour look or two at choking? No, a merry life and a short one shall be my motto." -Barthalomew Roberts
Ship's Articles to the "Fortune", which were sworn on a Bible.
1. Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment. He shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and shall use them at pleasure unless a scarcity may make it necessary for the common good that a retrenchment may be voted.
2. Every man shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes, because over and above their proper share, they are allowed a shift of clothes. But if they defraud the company to the value of even one dollar in plate, jewels or money, they shall be marooned. If any man rob another he shall have his nose and ears slit, and be put ashore where he shall be sure to encounter hardships.
3. None shall game for money either with dice or cards.
4. The lights and candles should be put out at eight at night, and if any of the crew desire to drink after that hour they shall sit upon the open deck without lights.
5. Each man shall keep his piece, cutlass and pistols at all times clean and ready for action.
6. No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man shall be found seducing any of the latter sex and carrying her to sea in disguise he shall suffer death.
7. He that shall desert the ship or his quarters in time of battle shall be punished by death or marooning.
8. None shall strike another on board the ship, but every man's quarrel shall be ended on shore by sword or pistol in this manner. At the word of command from the quartermaster, each man being previously placed back to back, shall turn and fire immediately. If any man do not, the quartermaster shall knock the piece out of his hand. If both miss their aim they shall take to their cutlasses, and he that draweth first blood shall be declared the victor.
9. No man shall talk of breaking up their way of living till each has a share of 1,000. Every man who shall become a cripple or lose a limb in the service shall have 800 pieces of eight from the common stock and for lesser hurts proportionately.
10. The captain and the quartermaster shall each receive two shares of a prize, the master gunner and boatswain, one and one half shares, all other officers one and one quarter, and private gentlemen of fortune one share each.
11. The musicians shall have rest on the Sabbath Day only by right. On all other days by favor only.
A contest entry
- The Infamous by Shamanicmusings.
950 points, ended February 24, 2008, 7 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Favorite villan,from books,games,movies,t.v.shows,anime..whatever. by Sarin Rayne.
800 points, ended July 19, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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Very intresting.I love this.It kept me captivated and I really enjoyed this read.Great job and good luck in my contest.
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Shit, I just watched a History Channel presentation about this man. Right after he took over the ship he sent the crew to go kill everyone in this island for a revenge vendetta for there ex-captin! LOL.
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So if I didnt stumble upon this I might not know about the greatest pirate of all time? ...what a shame that would have been....
Excellent writing, very interesting and informative. I love to learn new things, knowlege is wealth and it is generous of you to share. Great work.
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Very well done, good to see you have studied well.
A wonderful choice that I would have included if I had the thought about it at the time of posting. -
This was possibly the greatest
of all time.
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