The Praise of History

“But the history, being captived to the truth of a foolish world, is many times a terror from well-doing, and an encouragement to unbridled wickedness.”– Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586)

For see we not valiant Miltiades rot

A fall from grace to cage and punish Marathon

Though you may cry green bubble, Athens hears you not,

Descend like traitors Socrates and Phocion.

Severus prospers, another Severus slain

And Sulla, Marius, Pompey and Cicero,

Dishonest tyranny will anchor in the brain

The ides and knife-sharp words of Caesar and Cato.

No more of Cypselus and Periander’s wrath

Nor Phalaris and Dionysius’s rage

No more to prosper sanguinarine brim-full bath

Abominable injustice usurped off-stage.

For all with knowledge furnishing with gold the mind

Accounting good and goodness never left behind.