Classic Poem

You would not feel Ixion's wheel or change with Sisyphus?
Oh then, beware the barber's chair of dread Antiochus!
The frenzied crowd may cry aloud with howls delirious;
Their arms they slash—your deadly gash is worse, Antiochus.
One may endure a surgeon's ‘cure’ in fashion valorous,
Or broken bone without a groan—but not Antiochus.
'Twould take the crew of cynics who are most necessitous,
Or else a horse, whose mane is coarse, to bear Antiochus.
Though vultures tear Prometheus there upon the Caucasus,
A ravening bird would be preferred to you, Antiochus.
Pentheus would flee to Agavë, that mother infamous,
Or Orpheus face the Maenad race—but not Antiochus.
I've lost the skin from cheek and chin, the cause would you discuss?
It was not strife or frenzied wife—it was Antiochus!
Old pugilists from other's fists are oft disfigured thus;
But I am marred and mauled and scarred all by Antiochus.
The goat alone hath wisdom shown, more sensible than us,
He grew a beard because he feared to meet Antiochus!