Moonfleet

Splintered remains of a brandy barrel cracked across,
Witness to the descent of mariners
Fallen in the bloodied brine.
Excisemen gone mad with brandy and corruption.
A human chain in the water, carrying
Bobbing barrels as miniature pirate vessels,
Each one time enough to walk the plank.
Rifle-fire from militiamen echoing in the caves,
The mouth of a cave onto the beach
Concealing avarice, power of the gold.