The+Proverb+and+the+Prophet

by Susanne Nobles
 * The Proverb and the Prophet**

//Timeo Danaos et dona ferentis.// Vergil, //The Aeneid//, line 49, Book II


 * T**he truth shall set you free, wise Laocoon.
 * I**n front of your people, you and your words came, prophet and priest of the Trojans.
 * M**eshed in the brutal gods' war for ten bloodied years, your people stood
 * E**ntranced by the Greek horse with ribs of pinewood.
 * O**, citizens, are you all gone mad?" you said.
 * D**evout Laocoon, cry out, cry out your truth! "Do you truly imagine the Greeks have gone
 * A**nd left this horse as a splendid gift for us, their ten years' enemy? O, friends,
 * N**ever, never trust Greeks bearing gifts.
 * A**nnihilate it at
 * O**nce. I will prove it to you." Strong Laocoon, your
 * S**pear did pierce the wood. The clanging of weapons, the rattling of men within, did
 * E**nsue. I hear it today, but none of your people heard. Clear-sighted Laocoon, you had the
 * T**ruth, old soothsayer, and your truth would have set them free. Why
 * D**id Troy still burn?
 * O**ver the seas they came. Sent by vengeful Neptune, they plunged at you, innocent Laocoon,
 * N**ext to your two sons. The unexpected shock shook your people's souls, shakes mine still.
 * A**rching, frightful sea-snakes, writhing in coils, boiling the ocean,
 * F**anged against your truth until each entwined and devoured a son.
 * E**ver rage, doomed Laocoon, ever rage against Neptune whose horrors silenced your truth!
 * R**age against the gods' prison circling you with bars of fate through which you can see but not
 * E**scape. And so the gods' terrible will was done.
 * N**ext the horrifying serpents bound you away, poor Laocoon, leaving filth and venom where the prophet once stood.
 * T**he dark of that night birthed the Greeks from their horse. Not one
 * I**n the city was freed by wise Laocoon's truth. But, dear Laocoon, did your truth
 * S**et you free?