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        TALES OF CONQUEST: PIZARRO AND THE INCAS

 

And the red scourge of war then moved to Peru

When the Spaniards arrived and the natives they slew.

Yes, the Inca fought bravely, but with just bow and arrow,

They proved no match for one Francisco Pizarro.

 

Who snuck into their city, as the storyÕs been told,

And ransomed their emperor for a house full of gold.

Indeed, Pizarro was clever and got what he wanted,

But it wasnÕt enoughÉhe continued undaunted.

 

As next he did claim that no blood would be shed

If the emperor agreed to become Christian bred.

King Atuhualpa obliged, alas, missing this angle:

Pizarro didnÕt spill bloodÉthe King he did strangle!

 

Of course, wars of conquest were not novel or new,

Atuhualpa himself had just fought in one too!

But Spanish lust for more gold seemed so far in excess,

Incas asked, ÒDo you eat it?Ó The Spanish said, ÒYes.Ó

 

And for a century more the Spanish Empire grew

From such daring exploits in lands exotic and new:

Like Coronado who traipsed the American Southwest

To find cities of gold, which he took as his quest.

 

And like Ponce de Leon, of whom legends abound:

Of magical waters where youth could be found.

-- Though regarding that fountain, no luck fell his way,

And ÔOld Ponce made do with a brief Florida stay.

 

And Senior Balboa who sighted the ocean Pacific,

And Senior Cabrillo who declared California terrific,

And one Ferdinand Magellan, a captain so great,

His ships the whole world did circumnavigate.

 

Yes, full circle they sailed, this whole world Ôround,

And learned its true size: it sure did astound!

But their trip was grueling, they ate sawdust and rats!

Magellan died on the way -- but sure earned some congrats.