On the Archeological Find of a Cup Used by Pericles
Pericles and his brother drank
Out of this cup, when hope shone bright,
Before Athenian fortunes sank--
Sparta, plague, Tyrants them to blight.
He was a young man in his twenties,
Ambition coursing in his breast;
While she, most plenteous of plenties
Offered him--and life's greatest test.
Athens elected him to helm
Her through the throes of peace and war,
But he forsook that faithless realm
Whose fame has traveled long and far.
A drunken revelry perhaps?
Pericles, Ariphron did sup
A night convivial with their chaps,
Then signed the ceremonial cup.
Out of this cup, when hope shone bright,
Before Athenian fortunes sank--
Sparta, plague, Tyrants them to blight.
He was a young man in his twenties,
Ambition coursing in his breast;
While she, most plenteous of plenties
Offered him--and life's greatest test.
Athens elected him to helm
Her through the throes of peace and war,
But he forsook that faithless realm
Whose fame has traveled long and far.
A drunken revelry perhaps?
Pericles, Ariphron did sup
A night convivial with their chaps,
Then signed the ceremonial cup.