Tzykanisterin
Look at the emperor, the ends of his purple robe gracing the dust;
He is majestic, his light brown hair reflected in his golden ornaments
And with each resonant word he speaks, like so much filth and so much rust
Is this majesty broken.
Look at the torch-bearer, his eyes lifting to heaven, pride and disgust
Toy with him, he is a pawn in some greater game,
Silver and subservience have taken away all, and he must
Act, with his left hand not knowing what his right hand does.
Look at the cruel daughter, her pretty face is clearly satisfied;
She is beautiful, in her expensive silks she is admired by all,
Her lips twist up into a smile, and her powdered face does nothing to hide
Her horrible mind.
Look at the heretic, the plain tunic he wears is embroidered with mud;
He is pathetic, his shadow flees as the torches approach,
And with each whisper his cracked lips produce, with his dark blood,
Is he made glorious.
Look at Tzykanisterin, the angels hover, like crows and like eagles
Above the pyre, and immense, unapproachable light hovers above them;
And the emperor announces, and the torch-bearer acts, and the cruel daughter smiles, and the heretic whispers.
Flames rise to heaven, and all is still.
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