Come Young Pirates, First Battle Of Acentejo (40) Poem by Captain Cur

Over Taoro, a warm mist softly hung
in kingly light, when early buds of spring
peek through fertile ground, beckoned by the sun.
Sea scented morning dew diligently clings
amazed at the corroboration nature brings.
A droopy eyed hatchling rises from sleep
unconcerned with time as her brothers sing;
soon all the world around will be in reach
when they first take flight with full feathered wing.

Bencomo, Mencey of Taoro,
a proud Tenerife son,
would not yield his culture or field
of him great hymns were sung.
He refused the terms of Lugo,
a feared Castilian knight,
and planned an ambush in Farfan,
a ravine devoid of light.
Legions of Spain marched down the plain
into its narrow depth
with armored shield and steel tipped spear
to claim the island's wealth.
Deep in the brush, home to the thrush,
the horses lost their way
breaking their line entangled in vine
and stumbling in dismay.
Manned with hope, high from the slope
the Guanches fought their war;
first invaders, then enslavers,
these men that stole their shore.

A blunderbuss boomed deep in the gloom
shooting at shadow men;
Bencomo was sly, wary of eye,
a lion guarding his den.
The canon's hissed, their fuses quick
whistling as they flared
blasting trees and harvesting bees
laying the green earth bare.
The first battle of Acentejo,
a true tactical blight,
though stronger armed Lugo was found
outsmarted in this fight.
Boulder's rained from guarded terrain
with broad crushing effect,
with rocks and spears the Guanches cheered
voiced with savage intent.
The battle raged into the sage
where underbrush was thick,
from the trees and under the leaves
the Guanches took their pick.

Alonso Fernández de Lugo
retreated to his fort,
changed his red cape to aid his escape
from this horrendous loss.