The whine of the latest mariner

So completed was this hellish thing, that caused us all such woe: for all averred they’d heard the word that gave us leave to go. We grabbed our kit, and that was it, the mates yelled ‘Westward Ho!’

To those ashore, we waved some more while sailing from the fen. Then all averred they were deterred from coming back again. ‘Twas right, said they, that come what may, we’d ne’er consult these men.

We flew with haste to prior place, as it was told to me, that our quick pace had left in place a water rat – a she.

Beyond Whitehall and further west, she waited all alone; she’d walked herself to Aylesbury – some four-score leagues from home.

Under a freezing winter’s sky, we met her there at noon. As we arrived, she wiped her eyes, and cursed us all quite soon.

Hour after hour, hour after hour, we paused for her to cease, like waiting for immortal wars to reach eternal peace.

Bawling, bawling, all the while, and all our ears did ache. Bawling, bawling, all the while, until our knees did quake.

My very soul did rot with guilt that ever this should be. She stormed onboard our slimy deck and left her bags with me.

Pressgang Officer
Jane Doe
Likes: monkey business
Dislikes: shenanigans