Hearts Of Oak (Dialogue Poem) by Harry Riley Poem by David Page- aka Harry Riley

Two old friends: Admiral Horatio Nelson and Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood have met aboard the Flagship HMS Victory on the eve of the battle of Trafalgar...
Lord Nelson:
'We've seen some changes you and I and more are yet to come. We've carried battles to the foe and watched him dance a merry jig, with gunfire all around.'

Baron (Cuddy) Collingwood:
'Let's drink a toast to that my friend, We've seen men fight
And seen men die. We've played Almighty God and still won through, for King and County's Clarion Call, We, ll drink a toast to that my friend!

Nelson:
'Aye, tomorrow we will test the strength of English Oak and English Blood. We'll light a fire to warm men's hearts for a hundred years or more!
We'll make 'em wish that they were here, and they could call the tune. For you and I are history bound:
Let's drink a toast to that my friend!

Cudddy Collingwood:
'If Nelson wants, then Nelson Gets...You've brought us through the darkest day, with conquests all along the way...
Let's drink a toast to that my friend!

Nelson:
'Lord Cuddy, truth, your star will shine! And it will be as bright as mine...but if I should fall, ere battle's done...You'll pound the foe until we've won? '

Cuddy C:
'Aye, count on me, but please be sure...Ye'll not expire midst Trafalgar's roar. We'll both be here as wise old goats, to teem more whisky down our throats'

Nelson:
'I'll echo that my Geordie Lad! But pipes are calling. Drums are beating, England's fleet is boldly waiting... Hearts of Oak are deadly sure. Let's get to work and sink some more!

Cuddy C:
We'll drink a toast to that my friend, and skim the waves 'till journey's end. Through wicked shell and fires of hell.
As back-to-back we toll the bell...
For the sake of Old Lang Syne! '

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Following Lord Nelson's Death, Vice Admiral Collingwood took over command of the battle and brought the conflict to a decisive victory for the English Fleet!
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