Alexander at Babylon
(June 323 BC)
“My good friend Perdikas,
Since my connections, alas!,
With dear Hephaistion
Were rather fundamental —
And uranismic passions’ thrills
Through heavenly congress can bring ills —
I fear his death also kills me!”.
Then, having made his point
And installed Perdikas as joint
Inheritor of his imperial possessions,
Young Alexander died.
Pained Perdikas denied
Any complicity
In Alexander’s fate.
“He may have sometimes bored
Me stiff with his activities,
But it is base to say
That I, in any way,
Would have procured his death,
For he was truly great!.
My elevation to the rank
Of Joint Inheritor
Of his estates was due
To my outstanding generalship
Throughout our long campaigns.
Besides, whoever knew him well
Accepted that the was the bosom-friend,
And more, of his Hephaistion!.
I had no cause to end
The favours of his love.
Only the Gods can know
Why Alexander died
When in full flush
Of his achievements’ pride!”.
Few people, at that time,
Suspected that too close
A friendship might expose
Strong men to sudden death
In their still youthful prime!.
