A Voyage of Discovery

By B.L.Cann



One day back in 16- you know when, There gathered a small group of men, To prove the world indeed weren't flat, They hired a ship, complete with cat. Provisions they were sought and found, All went to plan, all safe and sound, Until they tried to get a crew, Who said "Not likely; not with you!"

"But riches could be vast!" we said, "Get lost; I'm going to me bed!" We then employed a cunning plan, To obtain each and every man. A drug for wine and beer we sought, Two gallons of it then we bought, A hurried dash down to the pub, Before we start, lets get some grub.

A bloke hanging round with a cart, Charged us two bob to take a part, "We'll bring you back some good house wine" "O.K." he said. That gives us nine! Three drunken louts gave a helping hand, And we gave them a brave new land, About riches, well we were right, But forgot 'bout injuns out at night.

We found all sorts of plants about, Then someone gave up such a shout, "T' Indians smoke these as well," A crop of poppys was raised to hell. We weren't so sure 'bout what to do, 'Till someone tried it on the crew, And every man was each one's brother, As cannabis we did discover.

No need for rigging any more; They hover, six feet off the floor!!!!! "And that is why" a seaman said, "The need for rigging's nearly dead!" And as we docked, down at the port, With folk to witness what we'd bought, A furtiveness used to conceal, The stuff that made life quite unreal!

"We'll show some of this stuff at court, And tell them where it can be sought, As shipping agents to the masses, With cash enough for beer and lasses!" But it didn't go as we'd suppose, The wards of court turned up their nose, "And have you anything instead?" "Just poppys that are white, not red!"

"Of houseplants, Windsor has a few, Most of them mainly down to you, And now you dare to bring us more! So tell us; just what is the score?" "The natives of that land do tell, When dried and smoked, they make you well." "Do you think it would help my gout?" "There's only one way to find out!"