Classic Poem

Already had the army of the Greeks,
Soldiers of Fortune's frown, marched forth and back
Two thousand miles, two years of toil and pain.
Sardis, Colossæ, Tarsus, cities marked
For Christian fame; great Nimrod's ancient hold;
Iconium, Phrygia's jewel; Thapsacus,
The spoil of Solomon; the rocky Gates;
The far-sought, fatal Babylonian plain,—
These and their hopes long since lay far behind.
Later, with sword in hand, the Greeks had pressed
Through what fell passes, o'er what wastes of snow,
Till suddenly, from the blest Armenian height,
They saw and hailed with tears of joy the Sea!
Nor ended here their strife, but followed close
Battle with wilderness and wilder men;
While, these o'erpassed, and help of kinsman due,
Hatred and craft and cruelty still barred
Their way to Grecian soil and wife and child.
To them thus harassed sent the King of Thrace,
Seuthes, the disinherited, seeking aid
In battle to win back his father's throne.
Gladly they heard and freely gave consent.
Seuthes, rejoicing in his new allies,
Bade the Greek generals to his banquet-hall,
There seating them beside his Thracian lords
And foreign envoys; but the highest seat,
Next to his own, he gave to Xenophon.
While now the wine went round, a Thracian came,
Leading into the hall a snow-white horse;
And, taking up a brimming horn, he said:
“To you I drink, O Seuthes, and I give
This horse, upon whose back shall you o'ertake
Whomso you will, and no pursuer dread.”
Another brought a boy, and, giving him,
Drank to the monarch. Following him came one
With costly garments for the queen. Then more,
After the ancient custom of the land,
That so their king might have wherewith to dower
His friends as they should need, offered the king
Rich cups or carpets or like precious gifts.
The turn had now reached Xenophon, who sat
With neither goods nor money, but he rose
And, boldly taking in his hand the horn,
He said: “I give to you, O king, myself
And these my comrades, all your faithful friends,
All free and glad supporters of your cause.
Behold us now before you, asking naught
But to face toils and dangers for your sake;
And, if the gods will, by our help shall you
Win not alone the land your father swayed,
But hearts of men and women, who shall throng
To bring you gifts and hail you as their king.”
Seuthes arose and shared the pledge; then both,
In token of alliance, on their robes
Sprinkled the last drops of the ruddy wine.

The Greeks upon the morrow took the field,
And Seuthes sat upon his father's throne.