<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On the Quayside at Portsea an Old Salt Button-holes a Passer-by<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2026there\u2018s no one style of pirate ship, pal, sloop or ship-of-the-line, Years spent in jail gave me a high regard for iron. Nowadays I like the air better\u2026 salty up-draughts and thermals, My fine ship The Monkey\u2019s Fist has a compass for all weathers, <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nwe use any vessel we can get our hands on.
\nIt must be fast though. The pirate code forbids me to tell you more.<\/p>\n
\nIt is a master of power, structure, suspension, brutality.
\nAn iron shirt never needs ironing.<\/p>\n
\nclouds like sky-cloaked widow-women carrying harps of hornbeam and brass,
\nbusy with their beautiful Acts of Pardon and Acts of Grace.<\/p>\n
\nshe\u2019s been blessed by a famous painter, she\u2019s goose-winged and trim.
\nPaso a bordo, amigo.\u00a0 Out of harbour we\u2019ll hoist the jolly blood-red flag,
\nI\u2019ll read aloud from the bible to comfort you as we speed the flashing brine.<\/p>\n