WHO, born at Arpinum, of origin mean,
Left the plough for the camp, and the crook for the sword?
And, before his decease, as Rome’s consul was seen
Sev’n times, though for cruelty greatly abhorr’d.
What noble Athenian, a gen’ral renown’d,
(Both for virtues and vices in history fam’d),
Of the crime of impiety guilty was found,
For having the statues of Hermes defam’d.
Who was killed by brave Clitus on Granicus’ shore,
When hastening to stab Alexander the Great?
And what Syrian prince (the foe at the door)
Burnt himself and his wives in a palace of state?
These characters now in rotation display,
To far distant ages you backward must tread,
The initials connected, at once will pourtray
A planet, whose aspect is fiery and red.
(Elizabeth Hitchener)
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Based on Topics: Crime Poems, Astronomy & Cosmology Poems, History PoemsBased on Keywords: initials, athenian, vices, abhorr, consul, impiety, pourtray, rotation, defam, granicus, clitus