Out they came in the hundreds
Galloping, snorting, heads held high
Arabian, Ardennais and Akhal-Teke
Let loose from Odin’s own land
Messala’s and Ben Hur’s royal steeds
Thundering down Rome’s Circo Massimo
Chariots, coaches and carts in tow
Bridles and bits
Adorning their magnificent faces
Reaching Troy’s splendid gates
Dusted their hooves
Unhitched all trappings
Entered the Assembly
In grand array
The most beautiful of meetings
Horses, horses everywhere
All colours, shapes, all sizes
Without bridle without bits
Free from carriages, free from chariots
The king Stallion took his place
Brought the meeting to order with his hoofs
The most amazing of horse-music floated
Filling the expanse of the fresh Sunday morn
Wondrous of sights, graceful forms
The mares took to beat
Raising their front hooves
Balancing on their hind
One two three, one two three
The mares began to sway
The Tempo picked, the beat got louder
Mares and horses
1-2-3, 1-2-3
Faster and faster
Glorious, astounding
Oh, the dancing reverential mares
Sun down, lengthening shadows
The moon begins to rise
The gong sounds
The assembly dispersed
Through Troy’s tall gates
Outside its daunting walls
Bridles and bits back in place
Chariots, coaches and carts in tow
Back they galloped into Rome
Sunday is over, Monday is back
To drive and be driven
In Caesar’s land
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