Drake's Drum
Sir Francis Drake
A life of adventure has been bestowed upon me.
At the beck and call of my Queen, I sailed the earth to become a thorn in the Spaniards side.
From the Isthmus of Panama, down to the Cape of Good Hope, I have chased the elusive treasure fleets.
And with the bounties collected, I became a man of the court, and declared a nobleman by my Queen.
In her time of need, I sailed to Cadiz and called it my own, singeing the beard of King Phillip II.
One year later, she called for me again, and I set the Spanish Armada alight after finishing my game of bowls.
And throughout it all, I played the beat of victory on my drum.
And in this instrument, I bestowed my heart and soul, promising to rise again should it be played.
Waiting at a moment’s notice for the call of alarm to be sounded, I slumber on the bottom of the sea.
In my lead coffin, dressed in a full suit of armor, I listen for the crescendo.
To come back.
For my love.
For my life.
For my England.
© 2012 Augustine A. Zavala
Drake’s statue on Plymouth Hoe
