Paul Groves
The Roman Punishment for Parricide
Elements are in place for an execution. There are
no mitigating circumstances (the defendant’s
insanity plea is disallowed). An arbiter,
striding the quay with a scroll headed SPQR,
will oversee proceedings dispassionately.
Below, slavering waves demand just deserts;
the Tyrrhenian Sea seems hungry for the prisoner
to appear. Three cages await, a clarion call
from one; from the next, gibbering; from the third
the rasp of a child’s rattle - only deadlier.
Nearby is folded a sack made of material grown
on the malarial Agro Pontino. A cry resounds
as the bound man is brought forth. A caique bobs
offshore; the party will be rowed out to it.
Legionary, magistrate, both oarsmen, murderer,
cock, monkey, and snake embark. The soldier
restrains the captive, whose appeals are unavailing.
The primate chatters; the reptile lies coiled; the fowl
flutters in its confinement but does not crow.
How beautiful the morning is! The group transfer
to the larger boat. Soon it will float so distantly
that the shore will become a smudge of charcoal.
The simian Symbol of Trickery, the anguine
Symbol of Evil, the pennate Symbol of Insolence,
and the Accused will be lowered in their bag
until brine claims their argument with themselves.
By then Sol will have reached his zenith.
no mitigating circumstances (the defendant’s
insanity plea is disallowed). An arbiter,
striding the quay with a scroll headed SPQR,
will oversee proceedings dispassionately.
Below, slavering waves demand just deserts;
the Tyrrhenian Sea seems hungry for the prisoner
to appear. Three cages await, a clarion call
from one; from the next, gibbering; from the third
the rasp of a child’s rattle - only deadlier.
Nearby is folded a sack made of material grown
on the malarial Agro Pontino. A cry resounds
as the bound man is brought forth. A caique bobs
offshore; the party will be rowed out to it.
Legionary, magistrate, both oarsmen, murderer,
cock, monkey, and snake embark. The soldier
restrains the captive, whose appeals are unavailing.
The primate chatters; the reptile lies coiled; the fowl
flutters in its confinement but does not crow.
How beautiful the morning is! The group transfer
to the larger boat. Soon it will float so distantly
that the shore will become a smudge of charcoal.
The simian Symbol of Trickery, the anguine
Symbol of Evil, the pennate Symbol of Insolence,
and the Accused will be lowered in their bag
until brine claims their argument with themselves.
By then Sol will have reached his zenith.
Page(s) 36
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