In 1588 Sir Francis Drake,
over a game of bowls, his time he did take.
Saying I’ll play my game before England’s fate.
So the Spanish will just have to wait!
There once was a young sailor named Drake,
who some thought was a bit of a flake.
On Plymouth Hoe he stood
while playing with his wood
not knowing that history he'd make.
Drake was from the Elizabethan era
finishing his game as Spain drew nearer.
A stubborn man and quite contrary
until he died of dysentery!
I hear England's strong voice praising its past:
Football's World Cup glory in 1966,
Shakespeare and Marlowe penning plays,
Sir Francis Drake circumnavigating the world,
Queen Elizabeth I, with the stomach and heart of a king,
Queen Victoria, with her ever expanding empire and waistline,
Constable, Turner and Reynolds painting pictures...
and yes, although it can only whisper of its today,
it shall sing once more of new glories,
it shall shout from its rooftops for St George,
and be proud of its past and present.
A little Patriotic free verse for Carolyn's contest, inspired by Whitman's 'I hear America singing'
Playing bowls, Sir Francis Drake
on Plymouth Hoe did ages take
for the game proved that much harder
than beating the Armada
For competition 'Cleri-who?' ,sponsored by Kim Merriman
Sir Francis Drake was playing bowls
One day upon The Hoe,
And when the Spanish fleet appeared
He didn’t want to know.
He calmly finished playing bowls
(We don’t know if he won),
But then he fought and proved his skill,
The Spanish on the run.
*The Hoe is a place
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