My lord sent for me himself; a thug came.
“You. Follow me. He wants to see you now.”
It had that sort of horse they used to have,
bigger than a pony but not by much.
They look ridiculous riding on them
but got about at speed.
I had to run.
“Elidius,” said my lord, like poured out oil,
“how good to see you. Thank you for coming.”
And then a pause; he stared me into quiet.
“You seem to be in some trouble. Tell me.”
“I hope, my lord, you could tell me. Perhaps
I have offended you; or ones you care for.”
as if he ever cared for anyone
who was not him.
He sighed: “I think, my friend,
you know far better than I the problem.
You have the details in your mind. Your mark
is on each one. You are your own author
of an open book. Read what you’ve written.
We cannot have a man who speaks like you
at liberty. No wonder people are cross.
What have you said to them?
Importantly,
what can I do to help you?; and that means:
How will you change to let me give that help?”
“My lord, I do not know what I have done.
Please tell me why others are so angry.”
“Elidius, you know much more than I
the nature of your own affairs. Fix it.”
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