The ruler lies laconic in a sprawl
Oblivious to the cracks newly emerging
Within the empire, heedless of it all.
Heedless of chaos just outside the wall,
Disorder rampant, strife and unrest surging,
The ruler lies laconic in a sprawl
Upon his pillowed sofa; stately hall
Awaits such postulants as bring their urging
Within the empire. Heedless of it all,
He eats his sweets; some sensitive tear does fall
Over some page; while, as fates are converging
The ruler lies laconic in a sprawl.
Soon will the city burn, spread by great squall,
As factions subdivide amidst great purging
Within the empire. Heedless of it all
No longer, crisis sprung, he’s none to call,
No Lucius Annaeus, till—midst dirging—
The ruler lies laconic in a sprawl
Within the empire, heedless of it all.