The oarsmen on our quinqueremes were ill,
\nMalarial, and not inclined to row.
\nThe grub was short, and that makes soldiers slow,
\nLethargic when they should be keen to kill.
\nTo make it worse, the enemy was fit
\nWell-armed, prepared, supplied with every need.
\nWhile we could barely reach our ramming speed,
\nTheir far-shot arrows slaughtered all they hit.
\nIf we could bring some order to our fleet,
\nRegroup, attack the weakest of their ships!
\nBut then she breaks the line. His right hand grips
\nThe railing as he watches her retreat.
\nAt Actium, we thought our cause was strong
\nAs love and life could make it. We were wrong.<\/p>\n
Originally posted on Making Light<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The oarsmen on our quinqueremes were ill, Malarial, and not inclined to row. The grub was short, and that makes soldiers slow, Lethargic when they should be keen to kill. To make it worse, the enemy was fit Well-armed, prepared, supplied with every need. While we could barely reach our ramming speed, Their far-shot arrows … Continue reading Cleopatra’s oarsmen testify<\/span>