Pinky's Tailing Box looks back in time:
THE ROMAN TIMES, recording the events of January VI in year XXIX of Tiberius' reign...
More Die in Parthian Struggle:
Only one week into the new year, Roman Legionaires stationed in war torn Parthia report numerous injuries and deaths dealt by sniping archers and makeshift boobey-traps. The deteriorating political situation in the embattled region had already forced several contingents of Roman troops to spend the Saturnalia holidays guarding the key eastern border who normally would have been rotated home for the weeklong festivities.
Zero Tolerance for Coin Shaving:
Senate leaders have called for the death penalty for any citizen caught shaving gold coins and passing the debased Ceasars back into the marketplace. Some Senate voices have warned of mistrust of the Roman Dinar and a full blown national currency crisis. Senate liberals argued for summary crucifixion for those apprehended while conservative voices have argued for enforcement of the more traditional impalement on the crossbeams of the homes of the guilty.
Ever valuable table salt now reigns supreme as a medium of marketplace exchange. Suggested one eminent senator, "Salt may very well one day replace gold as the world's prime trading vehicle."
In Other News...
A remote Judean village was the scene of a visitation by three prominent Eastern dignitaries. One of among many rumors for their rare combined appearance in an otherwise unnotable obscure Mid-East province governed by Pontios Pilate was to coordinate the acquisition of several key commodities, including gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Before embarking on their arduous return trek, they were said to have lavished token quantities of their cargos on a struggling local carpenter and his wife and son, apparently as a gift to the poor to bring good fortune to their endeavors.
Other rumors among the more superstitious declare a king to have been born in the vicinity of Bethlehem destined for world rule. Said one anonymous senate aide, "We'll have a horse filling a Senate seat before that that ever becomes true." Others have suggested it would be refreshing to see the front portion of the equestrian finally represented there.
$$$
Shelley's "Mutability"...
The flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow dies;
All that we wish to stay
Tempts and then flies.
What is this world's delight?
Lightning that mocks the night,
Brief even as bright.
Virtue, how frail it is!
Friendship how rare!
Love, how it sells poor bliss
For proud despair!
But we, though soon they fall,
Survive their joy, and all
Which we call.
Whilst skies are blue and bright,
Whilst flowers are gay,
Whilst eyes that change ere night.
Make glad the day;
Whilst yet the calm hours creep,
Dream thou - and from thy sleep
Then wake to weep.
***
I have taken the liberty of changing a few lines to make it more appropriate still:
Mutability Revisited
The Favre that smiled to-day
To-morrow cries;
That infamous instant replay,
Tempts and then flies.
What is the Pack's sad plight?
Refereeing that mocks Reggie White,
Grief, even a slight.
Slim leads, how frail the score!
Interceptions evermore!
Pigskin how it surely did pop out,
The ref no where about!
The Pack so soon they fall,
Can not survive this gall
Which was a poor call.
Whilst skies are black as night,
Whilst reffing doth dismay,
Whilst eyes that strangely lack sight.
Make sad the day;
Whilst yet the the Niners forward creep,
Dream thou - and from thy sleep
Then wake to weep. |
