Relic Environments Trilogy: Book I, Part 1.xviii

from Book I, Part 1, Mystery Tramp Eclogues
 

Of the Stela Fragments

(Pertaining to the Siege, Ash Level 1, Old City)

Siculus saw skilfully armour wrought

Projecting figures, horns (in others)

Foreparts of birds in relief, on bronze helmets

The heads of spears forged twisted the whole length

To be marking wounds torn

Some fighting naked

Dark from the sun

Others not so, with iron chain hanging

… (breastplates) dented

At the Cirta gate, smeared with bitumen

And pulling the lances

And beneath horses they moving

(Cut into bellies of?) these animals, riders fall among them

The trenches, made of these in earth

(inscription)

And ramparts against catapults

Come to that depth, finding so this ancient

The tomb, a man’s skeleton uncovered

Seventeen (feet) in length, in armour

And decoration by those working metals

Pouring these colours upon heated brass

That they adhere, become