New Emperor

by flammeusgladius

The New Emperor

 

 

 

 

He hid behind the curtain to survive.

They found him and they made him Emperor

Of all the world.  “Come on, lads: look alive!”

They hoisted him on shoulders as before

They’d hoisted no one.  Ah, one Caesar more—

And then, perhaps, another after that!

The ancient commonwealth?  Hell, why restore

That madness?  They could have an autocrat—

And, even if he ended up a brat

Fit for assassination, still his power

Would cram their own firm jaws till they grew fat.

They shaped their futures in that lucky hour.

And all their benefits were fixed for them.

They did it more by whim than stratagem.

 

 

 

 

 

–Tom Riley