of the month of October, eighteen five;
in the bilge of the ship HMS Victory
the pride of english navy, the admiral
the pride of english navy, the admiral
Horatio Nelson lies at his death's bed;
wounded by musket bullet in the column
resists in agony until the hour comes
to ear the news of victory obtained
over the enemy: the Franco-Hispanic fleet;
already he may die, but somewhat worried
to Captain Hardy says in a hoarse voice:
"don´t throw me to the sea, into its waters
(me who gave to so many there a home)
I don´t want to be eaten by the fishes,
take me to our homeland, back to England
and under its mild earth give me a grave;
and now farewell, kiss me good friend,
tell me goodnight and towards home! "
-so said the admiral expiring-
old chap Hardy must meet good word
but there's a long journey back
and to conserve the corpse seems a feat.
A possible solution is decanted
of putting him into a cask of brandy,
who branded "Napoleon" was seized
as war booty to the enemy
who celebrated victories in his name
and the Frenchies have kept it almost intact.
Within those staves can take him to obsequies
that the nation prepares for his great man;
not salty waters but rather the sweet ones
of “Eau-de-vie française" so called cognac
is the fluid that the sailor will go through
(and though in it is plunged does not flake).
But there immersed in the middle of that broth
with alcohol & temperature degrees
the body ferments and lastly the gas bursts
exploding barrel´s woods as in a thunder:
amid spirits returns the lord to those alive
(which afraid greet the mummy with much awe).
After further adventures they arrive in port
and Nelson´s offals once already dried
are coated formally with all mundane pomp
and carried in an impressive procession
(still ethylic vapors giving off),
through streets of London to cathedral St. Paul
The enemy admiral Villeneuve is a prisoner
present at funeral, and muses to himself
with irony while curling his mustache,
that good French cognac besides the musket bullet
is cause for hero Horatio´s burial taking place.
After a while the captive is released
returns to France and there is not forgiven;
living in poverty in Paris changing flats,
the "Empereur" is very very angry
as all his dreams of invading England
this inept has left them watered down;
and sends Fouche´s agents on a visit
which immediately draws to the graveyard.
Shortly Villeneuve already in heaven
(somewhat ashamed in sailors company),
in conversation with Nelson and Gravina
and also with Churruca and Alcalá Galiano,
says to his rival, already is now a mate:
"We had such paradoxes in our lives:
me so much time employed in his service
and mercilessly decided to drop me
and you who were his bitter enemy
good "Napoleon" has thee so well preserved!”.
© albertotrocóniz / 12
Text: from “SHORT STORIES"
Image: "Naval Battle" from "PHOTOPAINTING”
