87. 
They’ll never scarce conceive how fast my lord

Could move and plan, and moving plans fulfill,

How Alexander knew maneuvers first,

Their rationale would follow only later

And we would see their destined brilliance shine,

A comet in the night. You would’ve let

The Persian slip away, a crippled dog,

A hobbled useless horse. The king however

Understood like no one else to win

At Gaugamela meaningless without

A Darius who bowed and yielded all

His earth and titles, all his earthly reign.

Would you have fought a day, to take a mile

Of land, only to fight a thousand miles

Of harsh terrain, of deserts, mountains, deaths,

Defiles, betrayals, treacherous rivers? – long

Before you would’ve quit. But always he

Pressed on, though weak or sick or tired, through doubt,

Confusion, loss, privation, seeking Darius.

A year and more he chased the toppled tyrant.

I’ll let you sleep, forever he’ll be king.