From The First Tea War: a History
The following extract is a transcription in modern English of a poem found in the wreckage of the HMS Aeolus, following the first border skirmishes between Great Britain and China during the First Tea War
O you, Robert Fortune,
For Queen, the City and Country,
You went in a far away country,
To look for the bringer of joy and fortune.
A lady called Camilla,
That turns mere water
Into a drink subtler
Than the mighty Mocha.
When you left with the fog behind you
For the Kingdom of the Sons of Heaven,
Did you see the men that would follow you
To the Greater Heaven?
In the middle of still unexplored mountains,
Looking for the tea fountains,
Claws and flames against steel and powder.
Each trying to bring order.
Our mighty ships in the sky,
Big, shielded and moving so slowly,
Facing the true masters of the sky,
Beautiful, yet agile and deadly.
Several times, did we face them
These mighty beasts stronger than a boar
But they were just glowing in the sun like a gem
Meaning “Cry “Havoc!”, and let slip the dogs of war”.
I’m speechless.
Great poetry.
“Interesting” History
Thanks. Coming from you, these nice words mean a lot.
As for the history, all credits for the idea go to @Peter
@xavier – I don’t know anything about the book “The first tea war – a history”. Can you link to it please? What do you know about this book? Have you read it? Who’s the author?
@jackie You don’t know that book? 🙁 😛
It is not really surprising as it is not a book yet, it is a book that might one day get written if I decide to do so (but I have other ideas too, for example something with a cyberpunk feeling).
I don’t quite understand yet. You have an idea for that book, but the poem itself is real? Not written by you? Where did you find it?
@jackie everything is invented by me (including this probably really bad poem).
I’m curious about this one, too. Are you writing a book titled “The first tea war – a history”?
I’d definitely check that out. Definitely.
Thanks @lahikmajoe
Let’s say I have plans to perhaps one day write something down but so far, I only have a little idea on what I want to write and I am still missing the whole picture.