| When Damon was condemned to die
'Twas Pythias begged his life And got for him a respite brief To See his kids and wife, Remained as hostage for his friend Who finally returned And thus Old Dionysius, king, A wondrous lesson learned. They say the test of faithfulness The monarch saw that day Dispelled his hate and he allowed The friends to go their way. I question not the friendship Of those men of Syracuse, Perhaps you think it proven So I'll not attack your views; But evidence is lacking, Quite competent, I deem, To prove that their affection For each other was supreme. Did Pythias and Damon live As neighbors on the street? And did their wives belong to clubs That tat and talk and eat? Did Damon have a garden And did Pythias have a hen Which liked to scratch and would not stay Within a coop or pen? Could Damon's car run faster Than his neighbor's Ford could go? Were their children ever rivals? In a Better Babies show? If affirmatory answers To these questions are assigned Then I'll concede their friendship Was the everlasting kind. |
Verdigris Valley Verse
Albert Stroud
(Coffeyville, Kansas: The Journal Press. 1917)
Page 35
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