Having heard this soldier’s words
The rebels sang his praise,
They marked his bold audacity,
His valour and tenacity,
Inviting him to stay and see
And learn more of their ways.

They showed him their defences and
Their fortifications strong,
And companies of famous men,
Whose feats of arms protected them,
Regaling him with songs which lended
Glory to where they belonged.

And after this they sent him home
But first he swore an oath,
To only speak of what he saw,
The truth of what he heard no more,
Only what he perceived on their shores,
This was his solemn troth.

Impressing his captors, Dada is given a tour of the fenland defences.
(14.10.26)

© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Pelayo Arbués on Unsplash