Fulvia, wife of Antony, Considers The Skull of Cicero
O senex! O greatness descended from so little!
O orator, give us a speech. Please praise the republic.
How hungry your ears must be to hear the sound of your voice!
Can they hear instead the flies as they buzz around your sockets?
All of us must learn to live without your empty eloquence.
Some may think you in Elysium-- such an ancient but childish dream
as was your defense of the republic--a puerile scheme of those who crave power without great risk.
This noon I saw ravens fly west, old friend, and their cry was loud and persistent.
Whatever your augurs would make of their flight I think it bodes poorly for thee.
When you bent this head for the sword did you remember those you’d condemned?
Or did you just for that moment, good Roman, believe? Alas, I see no coin in your mouth, Marcus Tullius,
to pay the old man to ferry your soul just as there will be no one to carry your name
into history where Marcus Antonius and I will be enshrined as gods by a grateful Rome.