Sonnet for Nicholas
by laudon

 I conquered legions made of such as you,
 The savage hosts of Gaul that fed my lust,
 Their armies fierce with bodies painted blue.
 You were not born when they had turned to dust.
 A thousand years, nay more, had set my heart,
 Inured me to the shafts of Cupids bow.
 I thought myself content with Raven's art,
 Too cruel that one night should change me so.
 I watched her lure you, shaken by your light,
 My body sang with hers to know your flesh.
 I whispered to you, made you of the night,
 My heart with yours did darkness' bond enmesh.
  Perverse the hand of fate that with a wave,
  Subdued my stony pride.  "I am your slave."

November '98