One man versus ten in combat, as odds would soon change
That one man was elite, elite in skills, in control of his rage
With every blow, the crowd roared, lusting for more blood
An audience for violence encouraged by their own emperor
For Rome was the owner of the world in which it had ruled
War and games of war, replayed how death came in floods
The gladiator raised a sword in victory, bowing in the end
But he'd be back next week, after a rest, to fight yet again
Audiences loved him, and did until he would die or retire
How long would he last? How intense was his inside fire?
The Gladiators by Jean-Léon Gérôme
