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Victory at the Hippodrome

They were hiding their stalls out of sight near the race course at Olympia

No signs but everyone knew where they were under cover of dubious propriety

On track for instant wealth and gratification the punters gambled for victory

At ‘Socrates Hemlock Marketplace’ bets were hedged and money changed hands

Most deities were not looking upon the illegal vice and transactions too kindly  

	
        But Apollo and Hypnos were pragmatic and sanctioned the wagers
	
        The Gods of healing and addiction attempted to settle their scores

	Off or on the wagon and the odds were even as pockets were emptied


As Plato suggested the soul could be saved when balance gathers momentum

The rational the appetitive and the spirited seeking complexion of harmony

Three ranks of community but there were up to sixty contenders in the contest


‘I know that I know nothing’ had survived hypocrisy but to be sure Epicure

Consulted the oracle in Delphi nothing wrong with a bit of divine guidance

A bit like ‘mirror reflection on the ancient wall who is the fastest of them all’


Charioteers directed intellect and reason to guide the horses to one truth of all

Had to make sure that the two stallions would not take off in different directions

Two winged creatures one mortal and obstinate the other immortal and upright


	Both ways it swung with two glorious and yet disparate steeds 
	
        Would it be modesty and temperance or insolence and pride

	Zeus patiently stayed impartial and saved his thunder for later


He was not beyond reproach anyway with a weakness for women and adultery

Vices were of various kinds and we all have to sort out or illustrious affairs

Hermes the trickster backed the stakers while Dionysus was too drunk to decide


The teams lined up for prime position at the hippodrome and tension grew wild

Hades God of wealth reaped his spoils but Tyche spun chance fortune and fate

The arbiter of virtuous living awaited his turn until everyone lost all they had


	Arete as a fountain of fulfilment of purpose did not stand a chance

	Because Hedos went to the finishing line with pleasure and sensual thrills

	In the end every plunger wasted his fortune and faced the wrath of demise 


As always it turned out to be a gamble too many and the Greek Empire crumbled

The story of squandered wisdom is still out there for interpretation and learning

Only Nemesis survived annihilation and cast her arrogance for future civilizations



15th June 2019
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