THE BLOOD OF RACHEL



The king is mad. His flight from Salamis
Was bad enough. But t1tt could be excused.
For six months now what has he done but drink,
Carouse and wallow in lascivious ease,
While subjects driven to despair with tax
Have fallen on the ooi.sonied sword and cursed
In death the son of their once goody king


                     Srwedas

Ahafid, you do seem to think the first
Great business of a king is war. Now pray
You, why should Xerxes waste the lusty days
Of youth in bloody strife To furnish themes,
No doubt, for dullard bards and minstrelsv.
Ahasuerus is the wisest king
That ever sat upon a Persian throne.
You graybeard fool, stupid as poets are.
Can you not see the wisdom of our king
In substitution of the flight for death,
Of feast for fight, of wine for blood Think you
'Tis wise to wear the plaited mail of Mars
When Venus bids you to the festival
Of love