Classic Poem

It likes me not that fair Eurypyle
Loves now notorious Artemon. Erst he
(A mark for man's contempt and gibe and jape)
Wore a scant head-dress conical in shape.
His feet encased were in coarse wooden shoes
Such as the poorest of the rabble use:
An untanned bull's-hide was wrapped round his breast,
Fit covering for a rotten shield at best.
Even thus arrayed, of reputation evil,
With drabs and bakers did he play the devil.
In pillory oft he stood; on racking wheel
Oft was he tortured, and full many a weal
By well-deserved scourge marked on his back.
But now this son of Cyce hath no lack
Of gold and gear, triumphant in his car
He rides: of mushroom fame he shines a star;
From day to day luxuriously he fares,
And golden pendants in his ears he wears.
Over his head he bears, as women do,
An ivory screen—the roynish parvenu!