A short poetical fallacy, as retold by the faithless

R'ian De Carrigan

 under strict instruction from the famous Madician writer

Timothy Grayson.

This piece was inspired by “Pollice Verso”, a Gladiatorial painting by

Jean-Léon Gérôme.

A clinking hide reflects the stretch of a wounded traitors arm,

Now falling with a gladius thud which hacks the jeering calm.

A brutish lion with bloody claws now prowls amongst the dead

And stopping in his boastful strides, removes his metal head.

Now dropping with a flash of bronze, he welcomes lidless rest.

His prey stands resurrected, foreign blood upon his breast.

The emperor’s mouth hangs open, disbelieving, in protest,

But this proud man will never free the slave Fortuna’s blessed

And orders his reluctant guards to make their last arrest.