The Displeasure of the Seleucid
The Seleucid Demetrios was displeased
when he learned that a Ptolemy had arrived
in Italy in such a sorry condition.
With just three or four slaves;
poorly dressed and on foot. This was the way
for their dynasty to become subjected
to irony and ridicule in Rome. The Seleucid
knows very well that they are little more
than servants to the Romans. He knows, too,
that the Romans give, and take back,
their thrones arbitrarily, whenever
they please. But at least
in their appearance let the Ptolemies maintain
something of their former glory;
let them remember that they are still kings
that they are still (alas!) referred to as kings.
For this reason the Seleucid Demetrios
was disturbed; and at once he offered
Ptolemy all purple garments, a gleaming crown
rare jewels, numerous servants
and escorts, his most expensive horses,
that he might appear in Rome as expected,
like a Greek Alexandrian monarch.
But Lagidis, who came to beg
knew his business and refused all that;
he didn’t have any need for these luxuries.
Poorly dressed, humbled, he entered Rome,
and stayed overnight at the house of a technician.
Then he presented himself to the Senate
like an outcast and a poor man so that
he could beg with better results.
Libros Libertad 