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The Legions of Pride
The Gauls sacked Rome in three-nine-oh B.C.
Humiliating hearts of lowly birth
And peak-high pride, who thence writ this decree:
To kneel before no other on the Earth.
What followed was the Eagle’s cry heard wide,
From Rhine to Danube; legions thrusting peace
At tip of pilum forged to fate decide
Rather than wait to suffer its caprice.
What learn I from this state birthed in disgrace?
To fight the wind and never let it win,
No matter if it bruise or soothe my face,
By battening ev’ry hatch to coddle sin?
I cannot answer ‘til fate scolds my pride:
“What right have thee to ‘hind your legions hide?”
Humiliating hearts of lowly birth
And peak-high pride, who thence writ this decree:
To kneel before no other on the Earth.
What followed was the Eagle’s cry heard wide,
From Rhine to Danube; legions thrusting peace
At tip of pilum forged to fate decide
Rather than wait to suffer its caprice.
What learn I from this state birthed in disgrace?
To fight the wind and never let it win,
No matter if it bruise or soothe my face,
By battening ev’ry hatch to coddle sin?
I cannot answer ‘til fate scolds my pride:
“What right have thee to ‘hind your legions hide?”
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