Came from their convent on the shining heights
Of Pierus, the mountain of delights,
To dwell among the people at its base.
The Nine Muses.
“O Cæsar, we who are about to die
Salute you!” was the gladiators’ cry
In the arena, standing face to face
With death and with the Roman populace.
Morituri Salutamus.
Peradventure of old, some bard in Ionian Islands,