Saturday 28 April 2018

The Seven Wonders: The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

Isn't one of the Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries "Always loot the ruins"? No? Just the Crusader's Oath, then? Well, alright.




A temple to death was built;
With pomp and glory it was filled.
Statues of the immortals to adorn
The final repose of mortals born.
Scenes of legend and myth decorate
From Heracles’ labour to Lapith state.
Atop a pyramid in chariot ride
A brother-groom and sister-bride.

Centuries pass and turn it to ruins;
The fortress of  holy John’s knights begins.
Sculptures are taken for Bodrum’s glory;
Gods and saints mix in solemn allegory.
Works of beauty mount soldiers’ walls;
Still they stand when the last blade falls.
Pagan marble turns to Christian lime;
Thus proceeds the march of time.

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