Hector

Poiseidon's waters roil and roar All up and down the craggy coast; Their winedark waves have brought the host Of foreign men all drunk for glory, For the sake of one man's vanity They traveled to your alien shore To write with blood and bone a story Of the Gods' capriciousness towards men, Of passion's triumph over sanity Which they shall repeat: again, again. The men will surge against your city walls Ten long and doleful years; As your children, born to violence, shriek, and widows' tears Appeal to you, their hero Prince, To drive them back to whence they came As your father walks the palace halls, As does his shade now, ever since - Ever since you went out to face the foe And pass to time your noble name, Their legend and their martyr, hope and woe. It would be asked by what Creed you chose to live Before you fell to the Fates' perversity, Before their undeserving Champion dragged you 'round the city. "Honor the Gods", you said, cruel though they may be. "Defend your Country", you said, though it be doomed. "Love your Women", you said, as only they can give Meaning to the madness from across the sea. Your father forced to beg for your battered corpse; so many dead, Their faces still now, 'neath the swaying plumes Of shining helmets, others waiting in their stead. "Honor the Gods Defend your Country Love your women." - Oh you grey heads who start your wars for Pride, Go ask Andromache's ghost What it meant to her.