Jenkins’ Ear

 

 

 

'Go tell your king that we'll do this to him,'

they said, as they chopped off his ear

 

You're not wanted here, the Americas are ours,

we hold the power, is that clear?

 

But it was far from clear, and amidst the furore

Jenkins' ear became the byline for war

 

Swathes of the Americas had been seized by Spain,

much to the disdain of King George

 

And now Captain Jenkins had been savagely cut

for trading in cane and sweet hazelnut

 

A merchant sea captain most cruelly waylaid

for the innocent promotion of English trade

 

Parliament enraged, declared war against Spain

and Jenkins' ear became the rallying refrain

 

For nine long years they fought across the globe

over merchant trade and detached earlobe

 

Until, alarmed by the loss of fighting personnel

they met to sign a treaty at Aix-la-Chapelle

 

It was never about an ear, but about global might

and the stigma of being outdone

 

The Americas were Spain's and England was vexed

and on feeble pretext waged a decade of spite

 

The lust to forge empire begets hatred and wars

until finally halted by guns bigger than yours

 

image in common use