Money Of Mercurius
© Hermead of Surazeus
2011 07 28 - 08 16

Money for commerce stored in warehouse banks
Sing Muse Moneta counting golden coins
tale of Mercurius messenger and healer
son of Maia Maiestas and Jupiter
who takes his son running on winding paths
from temple home perched on high mountain slope
dashing across meadows of gleaming wheat
to race swift laughing and panting for breath
as they pause by river and drink cool stream
and tell how he developed money rites
of fair purchase in commercial exchange
for molded metal coins to represent
value of things preserved in storage banks.
Returning home from studying seven years
at Hermetic Academy for Messengers
Mercurius pauses in field of gold wheat
gazing up at marble temple on hill
and remembers when he was young lion cub
racing with his father to river shore
then races eager to run with him again.
Leaping temple steps in a single bound
he flies into grand hall of cooking fires
where priests roast beef for worshippers who pray
and feast at tables while Muses sing tales
then runs toward dais where his father sits
on gold throne who rises slow to his feet
and spreads arms wide welcoming his swift son.
Mercurius embraces Jupiter in joy
then gazes at face of his father aged
and wrinkled under mane of white hair
astonished to see skin wrinkled like fields
parched in hot sun while thirsting for cool rain.
Bold lion king he cries clasping his arms
since I was young you were so tall and strong
and your hair once shone gold as ripened wheat
but now warm bright sun of spring is decayed
by white snow frosting your long mane of hair
and eyes that once pierced my heart with bold truth
now glimmer silver as winter-iced sky
but beaming smile of joy lights up your face
revealing forever young heart I love.
How often you woke me at gleam of dawn
and bid me jump on my feet and stretch arms
palming hands before my wild beating heart
then together we ran laughing in fields
hearts throbbing in sublime beauty of light
that gleamed gold over hills blooming hope
and raced against lazy weakness and death
to spark our minds awake with beaming love
that surges still in waves from my deep heart.
I flew home eager to run with you again
but time has worn your body to frail flesh
as great mountains are worn by winds of change.
Sometimes fiercer than a lion you roared
but always you were gentle kind with me
teaching me how to express will of my heart
and though I feared you when I was a child
yet your roaring spirit woke bold in me
and many times I became you at school
roaring to protect myself in wild fights
so now I feel like you when you were young.
Jupiter laughs delighted to hear words
of fierce joy beaming from heart of his son.
When you were small and ran from my loud roars
I wondered if you would ever roar loud
but now you leap and play strong as my father
when I was young so now our spirits grow
in cycle of life like seasons of wheat
sprouting soft and green in vibrant childhood
leaping tall and strong in courageous youth
then bending frail and weak in ripened age
and so I soon shall be harvested by death
completing my cycle just as you begin.
Jupiter walks with his son in grand hall
among marble pillars bearing high roof
and slips arms around his shoulders in love.
My son Mercurius you return from school
in time to aid your clan defending land
in storing wealth we harvest with your hands
for gangs of raiders traveling from dry hills
are stealing wheat from farmers of our lands
who toil all year long in hot sun and rain
plowing fields and sowing seeds with their hands
and weeding rows and digging water canals
and harvesting wheat they pour in clay jars
which they store in weak wood shacks by their homes.
Our strength growing wheat is betrayed by lack
of strong guarded fortress to store our wheat.
Thieves break open shacks and steal their grain jars
leaving rich stores empty for winter months
when bitter winds howl over frozen fields
and men who trust me to guard their good homes
crowd our temple begging wheat for their clans
so three winters now we have to share food
and eat small loaves hungry for sweet baked bread
insuring every child in country farms
eats fresh bread with beef stew in snow-cold months.
My heart is worn with sorrow fighting thieves
to defend rights of farmers who work hard
to keep their grain safe from marauding gangs
then last year your mother parted from life
breaking my heart in half and leaving me
empty and weak ever longing for voice
of her wise counsel to guide my state acts
and now my animating spirit fails
leaving my once strong body weak and frail
unable to play god guardian of clans
so you must take my place and play god guard.
Jupiter lies back panting in sharp pain
as Mercurius holds him frail in strong arms
astonished to see his health fading so fast
as if his great heart had been struck by spears
of loss and sorrow brought down by hard death.
Mercurius turns to older sister Ceres.
How fast his noble spirit seems to fade
so strong and bold just seven years ago
when I departed to learn art of spells
to store thoughts of our minds in solid words
like farmers store wheat for food in clay jars
but I return to find great god of strength
withering like leaves in cold autumn wind
hardy man once stronger than river stones
now lighter than leaves falling in cold wind.
Mercurius bends head over dying father
as tears fall springing from sorrow-stung eyes.
Ceres tall woman with long golden hair
hugs her brother and kisses her old father
caressing his long mane of snow-white hair
then slides fingers over his staring eyes
since light of life fades from bright silver orbs.
Like glorious sun that rises and sets
in cycle of life growing strong then weak
our father came and lit our lives with love
and now passes into dark dreamless sleep.
Our father was a great and noble soul
who cared about success of every man
however humble or noble his birth
treating every person as equal rank
and this respect for value of each man
elevated him in their minds to god
and their love gave him strength to guide them well.
His heart was like a lion bold and strong
defending our land and farmers who work.
Though time and wars had worn his body down
his spirit grew stronger with every year.
Touching his chin and gazing in his eyes
Ceres smiles and wipes away loving tears.
You left us seven years ago young boy
and return now tall man grown in great strength.
I hope you are ready to take his place
and lead our clan defending fields of farmers
for now that their bold lion king is gone
they will need new bold lion king to lead.
What training for defense did you receive
while studying at academy of messengers.
Mercurius takes gold Caduceus wand
from leather pouch that hangs from binding belt
and twirls scepter swift to flash gleaming sun.
I learned to forge this scepter from hard brass
and how to fight attackers with lithe grace.
Mercurius lifts dead father in gentle arms
and carries him through crowd of weeping folk
who touch limp hand that once gave generous gifts
and lays his body on altar of sacrifice
where many times when sun gleams evening light
through pillars illuminating hall with glow
of peaceful play as children gather close
would Jupiter raise blade and pray to Zeos
to bless our hearts when giving thanks for life
then slay offering to roast beef on flames
and offer plates of steak to worshippers
who pay small nuggets in return for feast.
Mercurius buries body of his father
in humid soil beside sprawling fruit tree
and smiles placing gray stone where his head lies.
You ate wheat and fruit when you were alive
which gave generous gift of life to your soul
so now their roots will dissolve your soft flesh
and change your body into wheat and fruit
that we may consume your true dreamless soul
recycling material of your soul flesh
to reweave vibrations of your real atoms
in sensuous fabric of our mortal bodies
and provide energy fueling our souls.
Mercurius sits with kind sister Ceres
in temple hall watching worshippers feast.
I learned many things while attending school
founded by Hermes messenger of gods
and I gained wisdom how to live in grace
taught by wise men and women arts of life
like how to write letters and compose songs
preserving memory with heroic deeds
of noble men who defeated tyrants
and sew leather sandals from skin of does
to protect my feet when I run in woods
and smelt metal to forge helmet and wand
protecting my head when I battle thieves
and liars and killers who enslave men.
I learned lithe martial arts of self-defense
when we played games of capture hill and flag
learning now to build wood forts on hill tops
bound by secure gates where gathered strong
and ran into woods gathering eggs and nuts
and berries and catching swift-leaping hares
and filled leather bags with produce of nature
that we would toss to save from grasping hands
of rivals laughing to reach goal post gate.
What wild exuberant fun games we would play
that honed quick skills to organize my friends
assigning tasks that match skills of each man
and sending groups on missions into woods
when I managed battle to capture flag
that fluttered on high hill of restless wind
thus I gained experience defending land
while gathering resources in leather bags
we tossed while racing toward goal posts of door
leading to safe haven in pale of walls.
My heart longs to return to innocent times
playing with my school mates in sunset glow
but real problem of theft from wild hill gangs
confronts my eyes with hard problem to solve.
To focus these skills on problem at hand
I will invite farmers in letter post
to attend meeting where we may discuss
options to align efforts of our hands
developing solution to protect
assets of product wealth from thieving hands.
Mercurius writes copies of letter invite
and pays boys coins to spend in market stalls
reward for taking scrolls on soaring feet
placing letter in hand of each clan chief
advising boys to run with urgent hope.
Hundreds of farm chiefs with brothers and sons
arrive driving wagons or riding horses
to gather in temple around gold throne
where young Mercurius holds Scepter of Zeos
sitting on throne where his father once ruled.
Mercurius stands and raises scepter high
so chatting crowd of farmers silence words
and listen amazed at how his young son
appears like Jupiter in face and speech
who seems to return to life in warm flesh.
My father Jupiter son of Apollon
son of Zeos who reigned on Olympos
has died releasing ancient soul of god
for me to breathe so he possesses me
eternal spirit of leader whose sense
of justice and truth fills heart of each man
descended by blood from first father Kronos
who wields scepter of power in bold hand.
I claim scepter of my father as mine
for he sired my body and breathing soul
endowing my heart with courage and faith
to organize your actions and guard life
considering wise options to solve disputes.
My father and I are one immortal soul
who flows through mortal bodies like a stream
so his ancient noble spirit returns
in me to guide you defending our lands.
Give me honest trust of your loyal hearts
and I pledge to lead you in glorious war
to battle thieves who steal your precious grain
and free our lands so children may play safe
without fear of slavers chaining their hands
and forcing them to work in lightless mines.
I sponsor you to farm your fertile fields
and you respond by following commands
so we work together as one-mind team
sharing responsibility through work
to increase wealth that blooms from pungent soil
yielding abundant wheat to feed all mouths
and each eats measure to reward his work.
Mercurius holds up gold grail with both hands
and Ceres pours nectar from silver pitcher
pressed and brewed from honey and apple juice
then he pours shining drop on temple floor.
Ceres raises both hands toward clear evening sky
and prays sweet voice ringing in hall of stone.
Eternal spirit who created all life
we give back to you in cycle of change
gifts of wheat and apples you give to us
in thanks for bounty flowing from your heart.
Great Mother who molds bodies of our souls
shaping flesh like potter who molds wet clay
we thank you for weaving matter of time
structured by pattern of ideal truth
in fabric of space that sustains our souls.
You give our bodies life to enjoy taste
of pleasure that fills our hearts with sweet love
and you destroy our bodies in due time
dissolving our souls in sea of pure light.
Ceres holds cornucopia full of apples
and walks among farmers sitting in temple
placing ripe fruit in each accepting hand.
Mercurius walks before assembled crowd
while they eat apples that drip sweet gold juice
twirling strong Scepter of Zeos while he speaks.
Eight generations ago over sea
of restless waves our ancestors sailed far
from lush valleys of Euboia and found
this fertile land where they built sturdy homes
and planted seeds in rain-drenched Kumai
working together to tame wilderness
of tangled forest ripping out old trees
and chasing away angry Satyr tribes
who fled howling into desolate hills
and shaped this paradise of golden wheat
where we all live in harmony and peace.
Farmers brought secrets for growing ripe wheat
from broad meadows of Iona first home
to Abantis that we renamed Euboia
to honor good cows we graze on lush hills
and now to Kumai we extend our roots
bringing ways of gentle farmers to wild lands
along with letters that Alpheios taught
to record tales of our lives in written words
so our children may remember our names.
Our ancestors fought wild chaotic tribes
of Satyrs who herded wheat-chomping goats
chasing them into forests of rock hills
and long my father Jupiter preserved
peace from fighting gangs so we may raise crops
and worship bold Artemis our first mother
and celebrate festivals of harvest moon.
Now raging from high rugged mountain hills
sons of those Satyrs we drove from our land
return wielding clubs to beat heads of farmers
and steal wheat my hard-working brothers grow
for you are all my brothers in equal faith
and I will fight with you to defend our land.
Farmers and guard god are startled alert
when piercing cry of sorrow echoes fierce
so they leap to their feet at flap of long cape
when young woman appears stricken with fear
running on wings of wind into grand hall
who falls before Mercurius to her knees
and clutches his legs calling for quick help.
My father received your summons to court
and prepared for journey eager to help
but gang of thieves following Saturnus came
charging at night to attack our lone farm
planning to steal jars of fresh wheat we stored.
My father Hippomenes son of Oenope
sister of your father his loyal friend
fought back instead of hiding in dark woods
roaring like bold lion to defend land.
Covering her face with heart-aching cry
young woman weeps in wordless misery
while Mercurius embraces her to his heart
and soothes her sorrow with kisses and hugs.
Gazing up encouraged into his eyes
that gleam silver as heaven in dawn skies
young woman continues her tragic tale.
My father slew more than two dozen thieves
but sly Saturnus sneaking behind his back
thrust sharp spear tearing at his writhing spine
and pierced his heart releasing his great soul
that shook this world in tremors of wild death
and struck lightning flash across blazing skies.
I fled hiding in dark woods of despair
when Saturnus called me by name Moneta
demanding I comply on supine back
bending to his will and receive his lust
to sire son who would own my fertile land
by right of blood emerging from my womb
but I escaped hunters wandering lost
till star signs I learned from book of Sibylla
guided me here safe to Temple of Justice.
Turning to farmers whose faces are wet
with tears of sorrow for loss of their friend
Mercurius cries from anguish of their hearts.
While we talked discussing defensive plans
noble Hippomenes tamer of horses
was slain defending fertile farm alone
so death spurs our hearts to actions of war
for united we stand with noble strength
so follow me wielding weapons of death
to slaughter cruel invaders of our land.
Mercurius leads farmers wielding long spears
marching to land of Moneta to fight
three days riding horses on winding road
through forests of trees with soft rustling leaves
while discussing plans to fight greedy thieves.
Expecting to find farm crowded with men
leaping and shouting in wild reverie
as Moneta said they danced when she fled
Mercurius and bold farmers are surprised
farm is silent and empty but are shocked
to see they burned down every house and barn
and looted every precious thing she owned.
While they stand amid smoking ruins burned
to cold gray ash and discuss action plans
young boy stumbles frightened from misty woods
face smudged in mud and arm bleeding from wound
who whispers when he falls in cradling arms
of Moneta with hoarse voice they attacked
farm of my father Orestes and killed
my mother who tried to resist their rape.
Mercurius leads farmers charging on horses
galloping swift along high dusty hills
to farm of Orestes near ocean shore
where they find him hanging from twisted tree.
Cutting vines that bind tight his outstretched arms
Mercurius lays old man moaning on grass
who clasps his strong hands and struggles to talk.
Rescue my daughter Aoide whose sweet voice
enchants skittish birds to perch on her fingers
for Saturnus dragged her away last night
to violate her honor with lusting greed
and still cries of her fear deafen my ears.
Never more will I be able to hear
sweet songs of birds or babbling cheer of creeks
without hearing her wild terrified screams
calling my name while I struggled to help
as they thundered north to land of Mares
for my heart is broken beyond repair.
Mercurius leaps on rearing horse and shouts
follow me to chase wild marauding band
for we must ride swift to catch tramping goat
who steals our wheat and tortures our good friends.
Again farmers leap on horses and charge
racing along roads under gleaming sky
arriving late again after cruel thieves
burned houses and stole many jars of wheat
and rampaged destroying all that Mares built.
Mercurius stands shocked in ruins of death
staring at bodies of hard-workers killed
scattered around Mares shot full of spears
and clenches fists to control seething rage.
So many innocent people I respect
tortured and beaten and butchered to death
crushes my heart in strange horror of fear
twisting my mind into monster of hate
that hurls my body forward in tense rage.
I want to clutch his neck tight with my hands
and squeeze life bursting from his bulging eyes
and rip off his head with furious howl
but how monstrous my words of hate now sound
thundering at my ears louder than fierce storms.
My eyes are blinded by red blood of rage
that will cloud my mind of reason to plan
and could lead me running heedless headlong
stumbling into trap that clear eyes would spy
unless I rein rampaging rage of hate
and breathe deep spirit of timeless release
to free my heart from grip of angry claws.
I must transform my hate into kind love
and channel energy of rage to fight
evil monster with clever designed plan
so force of hate strengthens my right resolve
to defeat his greed and protect my clan.
Mercurius gathers farmers beside lake
forming circle of faces pale from grief
inside ring of trees glowing at sunset
and speaks to them in weariness of hope.
Since my father died I took up his scepter
and lead you in battle to fight Saturnus
and clash weapons of iron in brutal fight
to stop marauding gangs from stealing wheat
and we raced all over this fertile land
expending time and energy to run
by chasing shadows and rumors of ghosts
till we stand exhausted without success.
Our farms are scattered far across this land
so each man isolated on distant farm
fights gangs of thieves alone without our help
but when we form army to fight their gangs
we leave our fields exposed to their ravage
so they dissipate before our swift march
assembling on one farm to pillage wealth
while we stand idle ready for fierce war
on another farm so we chase their ghosts
lead astray in woods while they pillage more.
Processes in how humans live each day
conducting business of growing fresh food
in commerce of production and consumption
change in response to threats of violence
so we must combine efforts of our hands
to preserve wealth so united we thrive.
I failed to lead you through wisdom on path
of success defending our land and wheat
making mistakes that cost lives of our friends
so I must learn from puffed pride of my heart
and guide you better with strategic plans
by formulating actions with my head.
We must devise way of life to conserve
wheat and herbs we grow on far-scattered farms
but now we must rest and feast on good food
to restore strength and courage of our hearts
then craft weapons and organize our sons
uniting purpose of defense with arms
so they may hunt and guard while you tend crops.
Mercurius turns away while men form camp
and leans against oak tree on clear lake shore
gazing into purple waves gleaming light
of setting sun that quivers silent gold.
Moneta stands close by his side in breeze
of evening stillness to breathe deep fresh life
and sighs nestling warm in his hugging arm
to lean her head on his shoulder and smiles.
Your brave courage warms my cold heart with hope
for when Saturnus stabbed my father dead
and tried to force his will into my heart
I lost all sense of right and felt my world
shattered from blows of hate so wordless fear
choked my throat constricting my blinded mind.
All I thought I knew real about his world
was twisted beyond shape I could perceive
so I stumbled dizzy through swirling haze
confused by endless changing of firm truth
till world itself fell from beneath my feet
and I tumbled from cliff of solid truth
to fall screaming in valley of despair.
You held me to your heart and revived me
waking my soul from nightmare of despair.
Your gentle hands caressing my sad heart
reshape my shattered world restoring faith
that floods my shivering soul with aching love
and sweet desire to kiss you sparks my eyes.
Moneta gazes down in depthless lake
while whispering words of hope she dares not pray
and trembles afraid he will push her away
but Mercurius feels his heart beating fast
delighted to feel her soft body warm
in strapping arm he tightens around her waist.
Gazing in his bright eyes that gleam white stars
Moneta gasps when he pulls her to his chest
and kisses her mouth lips tasting warm lips
that sizzle bodies with sparks of desire
so they clasp each other tight in aching arms
and lie down as one on welcoming grass.
Moonlight caresses warm bodies that writhe
merging souls who curl around each other close
winding minds in memories of sweet pleasure
when his words of love fill her ears with light.
Spent lovers fall asleep by singing oak
so Myson and Latona smiling in joy
old couple who were snuggling in their tree
unseen by swift-runner and his sweet bride
climb down from oak tree in silent moonlight
and spread fur blanket over sleeping lovers
to keep them warm as night chill frosts grass
then slip inside their own home holding hands.
Sun shimmering gold in cool blue glow of dawn
kisses them awake with warm tickling rays
so Mercurius grinning with tousled hair
kisses Moneta who caresses his cheek
then they laugh delighted to find warm blanket
and whisper walking to cauldron for stew
while everyone hails good morning for feast.
Mercurius organizes warrior boys
gathering sons of farmers in field to train
where he teaches them how to carve a wand
and practice fighting combat in fierce war
so they march following him on river shore
wielding scepters and wearing helmets shaped
like hard turtle shells to shield fragile skulls
and sandals that protect their soft-soled feet.
They train running on gold-lit ocean shores
and practice martial arts on open fields
and hunt together in forest for food
then build fort of logs on peaks of high hills
learning how to communicate in group
so they work together united strong
as courageous army of homeland defense.
Mercurius sends spies disguised as Satyrs
dressed in shaggy leggings and hard-bone boots
who search woods and hills for ravaging gang
to bring back reports about where they live
then Clusius returns bearing vines of grapes
and reports that Saturnus and restless tribe
live hiding in caves near deep crater lake
where swift birds fall dead from poisonous fumes.
Clusius kneels tired before gold throne of Zeos
and gasps for breath after running two day
dodging Satyrs in dark woods to bring news.
Son of Jupiter noble father guard
you must attack quicker than lightning flash
for Saturnus captured our sweet Moneta
when she returned to farm land of her father.
Moneta was picking fresh flowers and herbs
filling baskets while singing with her friends
when Saturnus stormed on galloping horse
like black cloud that blots dark warm shining sun
in sudden blast of cold face-stinging storm
and kidnapped screaming girl in grasping arms
then carried her away to cauldron lake
locking her hidden in dark underworld.
I saw her with my own eyes in great cave
bound by gold chains beside his giant throne
dressed in glorious gown of glittering gems
and worshipped by leaping Satyrs as queen
but Saturnus prepares her for sacrifice
intending to slit her throat at full moon
and drink her blood in ritual of dark power.
Shocked at news that Moneta was kidnapped
and will be sacrificed by in moon ritual
by dark devil who threatens land of peace
Mercurius gathers boys he trained to fight.
Strengthen your hearts with courage for bold war
and remember martial skills I taught you
for now we march together for real war
to find and face enemy of our peace.
We may die in brutal battle for truth
protecting our homes and people we love
but though we die yet they will live and thrive
because our sacrifice gives them new life
thus we fight to die so they live in peace.
Mercurius leads army of strong young men
over burning fields of hot writhing flames
along smoking shores of dark Lake Avernus
searching among rocks in old tangled woods
as Clusius leads them to entrance of cave
where strange fumes emanate from cracks in Earth.
Three dogs bound together by iron chain
linking thick collars clamped around their necks
leap snarling from mist at entrance to cave
and snap sharp teeth hungry to rip soft flesh
so Mercurius raises wand and strikes hard
whacking their heads till they whimper and bow
to crawl whining back in desolate gloom.
Descending down in silent underworld
Mercurius steps bold in dark winding cave
and bears torch that fails to pierce stinking gloom
to search for Moneta hidden in blind fear.
Endless hours they walk slow in silent dark
moving together yet alone in caves
that swallow echoes of their cautious steps
and hear nothing but their own breathing rasps
deeper into heart of Earth without light
till memory of gleaming sun that warms hearts
fades lost in eyes that peer at boundless depths
of bottomless nothing so all good things
disappear in bleak shivering gloom of death.
Just as all sense of joy freezes to despair
and song of birds becomes nothing but hope
and laughter of rivers dissolves in dreams
group of boys following Mercurius discover
large vein of gold bulging from cavern walls.
Mercurius caresses round curving sheen
of shimmering gold stone that casts soft sweet glow
of heart-enchanting light from flickering flames
of torches they raise to inspect gold vein
and gasps to see huge mass of bright mineral
rising high above them in shadowed gloom.
I want to mine this gold to melt in bars
to wrap marble pillars and trim edge walls
of our grand temple hall in gold sunlight
and cast plates for writing hymns that relate
noble deeds of my father Jupiter
who tamed this wild land with justice of truth
so we may farm fertile fields and tend flocks
of sheep and cows and raise children in faith.
This bright metal that reflects perfect light
from great sun that illuminates our world
and brightens truth we perceive with our eyes
will reveal glory of power that shone
from heart of my father through his clear eyes
to show all who attend Temple of Truth
noble honesty that supported his reign.
We will need wagons built from sturdy oak
and horses to haul wagons full of gold
from dark underworld to high sun-drenched hill
to transform old stone temple into gold
so all may know great power of Jupiter.
Mercurius lingers sliding his hand palm
over smooth gold soft like breasts of a girl
then leans close to kiss gold like eager lips
of gentle girl compliant to his right will
closing his eyes to breathe its tingling scent.
Strange deep voice booms echoing from dark mist.
This sweet romantic scene would break my heart
if I had heart to break at sight of love.
Who is this meek child invading my gloom
bringing light of fierce sun to my dark dream.
Son of Jupiter descends to black hell
daring monsters and soul-devouring flames
to free sweet bride of his moonlight desire
but gleaming metal of cold lifeless gold
distracts his wandering eyes of greedy lust
so noble son of sun-beater is lured
to blind doom and forgets warm girl of flesh.
Roar of laughter shatters his sensuous dream
so Mercurius whirls clutching scepter tight
to stare at tall man with long shaggy hair
that falls flowing over shoulders and chest
in gold mane that covers his thighs and legs.
His eyes blaze green in flickering torch light
and his sharp teeth gleam like teeth of a wolf
and his ears are long and pointed with tufts
and two curved horns pierce thick mat of his mane
that glitter menacing as sharp spear points
when goat man struts into center of cave.
Saturnus leaps up on small pyramid
which makes him tower taller over all
and twirls spear that flutters flag of wolf fur
bearing model of fruit tree on sea mountain
and whips long cape sewn from fur of brown bears
that drapes his back and shoulders in fierce shape
then raises his right hand slow to reveal
large round black crystal sphere that glitters light
of countless stars who blink like watching eyes.
Trembling in mute terror with beating heart
Mercurius stares astonished at cave demon
lion man with gold hair and piercing eyes
then raises scepter to strike at his head
but Saturnus laughs in booming echoes
and swings copper scepter with diamond eye
that clanks and bends his limp scepter of gold.
Mercurius staggers backward from his blow
and stares at gold Scepter of Zeos now bent
then gulps but sucks in deep breath to defy
cave demon and shouts trying to mask his fear.
Cornered at last in your small hiding cave
you cannot escape justice of my power
though you scamper in shadows of your fear
for cowards like you are always exposed
by light of truth that blinds your greedy eyes.
No matter how dark night shrouds our good world
seeming to hide your vile criminal deeds
bold sun always rises to light our eyes
exposing you as coward and cruel thief
who steals gold grain that other people grow
and takes without giving back in return
and destroys what other people create.
I am Mercurius son of Jupiter
defender of peace and slayer of thieves
and though you are strong and bigger than me
justice of truth fills my heart with great strength
giving me foolish courage to face you
and stop your rampage on our peaceful lands
preventing you from killing our good friends.
Mercurius grips scepter tight with both hands
and crouches ready for assault to fight
but Saturnus laughs loud wall-booming voice
stomping gravel floor of cave with hoof boots.
Leaping forward faster than lightning strike
Saturnus lunges thrusting long brass spear
tipped by sharp diamond that pokes his soft chest
but stops short from piercing his beating heart
refraining from killing him with hard blow
then laughs again watching Mercurius flinch
and stumble backward against wall of gold.
Saturnus sits on top small pyramid
slotting brass scepter spear in deep carved hole
then spreads both arms open with empty hands.
Welcome to Aidas land of gloomy death
and drink sweet juice of grapes from golden grails
my nymphs offer you with generous love
for though you hunt me intending to kill
yet you wander in domain of my power
so I offer food and drink to my guests.
Why are you surprised I offer you gifts
and why do you hesitate to accept
cups brimming with juice of my ceaseless love
for I give from generous well of my heart
though your small hearts are greedy taking all.
You plunged sharp shovels into my soft heart
and tore chucks of trust from land of my soul
in gaping wound of voiceless wretched pain
that filled from torrents of tears bitter rain.
Now wounded pride for my sweet motherland
shimmers full of clear water that converts
my aching pain into dreams that refresh
all who kneel with kind reverent awe to drink.
Though your father wounded my heart with hate
my heart swells fountain of generous love.
Mercurius shouts and shakes Scepter of Zeos.
Your words slander noble heart and good deeds
of my father Jupiter who cleared land
of tangled forests chopping down tall pines
and plowing fields to plant seeds of gold wheat
and brought shining light of civilization
to chase away lies that hide behind masks.
Saturnus seethes for long moment with rage
eyes bulging and hair bristling on his neck
then clenches his fists gripping tighter rein
to prevent fierce anger from striking fast
so restrained his voice booms dangerous deep.
Your noble father invaded my land
leading thousands of men from wave-wild ships
and though my father welcomed hungry men
offering feast and rest like host to lost guests
your father hurled spear that pierced his good heart
and struck my father down with blinding hate.
Though I was young then and still innocent
I held his body bleeding in my arms
and watched light of joy fade from his bright eyes
snuffed at strike of hate that your father cast.
Your gentle father chased my mother far
through wild tangled woods of tall laurel trees
and though she almost escaped in bright leaves
he caught her leg and dragged her down to field
where he bound her arms and legs with tight rope
and forced his way inside her sacred womb
then when he finished using her for his pleasure
your father slit her throat and stabbed her heart
and left her corpse exposed for crows to eat.
Heart wrenched with grief in my young tender soul
I carried her mangled body all night
and buried her safe where flowers bloom fresh.
Your generous father invaded our towns
torching homes we spent many years to build
burning down temples where our daughters lived
and learned to cook and sew and heal and sing
and chaining boys to slave in your wheat fields
whose wails of sorrow are drowned in wild waves.
Your just father drove us from paradise
chasing our people from towns that we built
so we fled into rugged treeless hills
scratching at dry dirt for small tasteless seeds
yet always dreaming about lush wet fields
where we played laughing on moist river shore
longing for meadows of flowers and breezes
while hiding in cold dark caves of despair.
Though young and unlearned in ways of this world
I lead my people through valley of death
to live in miserable hunger and fear
wandering songless in these cold sunless caves.
You are arrogant and blind to declare
we are thieves stealing from your blooming fields
since we lived here since this world was created
dancing in sunlight on shores of broad streams
kissing in moonlight among singing trees
racing in rain while holding hands in play
so this land was ours long before you came
tromping around and staking claim to soil
that gave birth to us before dawn of time.
We are true children of this ancient land
which you steal from us with blind grasping hand.
Mercurius steps forward bold and relates
still holding Scepter of Zeos that curves bent.
My father Jupiter sailed to this land
and built temple on high heaven-blessed hill
to honor our noble ancestor Zeos
before my mother bore me from her womb
and raised me running to explore this land
teaching me that hills and forests and lakes
of this fertile land were given to us
by mandate of great Zeos on Olympos.
All my life since I was born this grand view
of truth formed foundation of my good faith
believing my father never performed
any deed except his actions were good
based on equal justice for every man.
Your words cast doubt on my clear view of life
like when boys throw stones in clear shining pond
shattering mirror view of heaven that shifts
in rippling waves distorting view of truth
which always guided my actions and words
so I cannot tell whether way I saw
this land and actions my father performed
was clear before and wavers twisted now
or if my view since I was a young boy
was twisted and your words clear away clouds
and reveal truths that do not make us shine
rather expose dark hatred that rots hearts.
I never saw my father except good
and kind and just and noble toward all men
though men who received his judgment for good
were men of my tribe who sailed here with him
and now that I recall cases in court
when men were not members of our large clan
his judgments always thrust against their souls
striking down hard in fierce condemning words
and chased them from heaven of our success.
How strange to see his gold face in my mind
always before cast bright in noble light
now turned aside revealing darker face
shadowed aspect long hidden from my eyes
dropping back behind his bright golden mask
in deep abyss of dark hate surging wild
myself empty of faith and void of trust.
This fragile shell of my flesh trembles weak
empty now of confidence I once charged
blustering vain words of pompous futile pride.
I am blinded by light of his proud right
and wander without direction in night
of eye-flattering confusion and search
for treasure of truth he hid in my heart
but my heart that long stood solid as stone
now squishes as shifting mud under my feet
slippery with facts that change in rain of words.
Whether your people lived in this lush land
before my people invaded and built
homes and farms yet you attacked our good men
rampaging across their farms with sharp spears
killing innocent folk and burning homes
strong truth I grip to stop my slipping fall.
Saturnus growls but tempers his wild rage
and explains while Satyrs and Greeks stand tense
facing each other in cave of bright gold.
Though your father drove us from our old homes
we built new homes and found new source of food
in sweet fish that crowd our broad flowing stream
so we stayed safe and forgotten in our caves
living many years far from you in peace
but your folk began to invade our lands
again penetrating woods with sharp spears.
Three of your men plundered our hidden homes
stealing and killing in vicious attacks.
First Hippomenes kidnapped cute young girl
and raped her locking her in dark wood shack
refusing to release her when we came
then stabbed my brother her father in his back
so I stabbed him in his back in return
and rescued my niece from his brutal lust.
Second Orestes killed my second son
who fell in love with his daughter Aoide
when he found them kissing by sparkling lake
by hanging him from oak tree bound by rope
and throwing rocks that cracked his fragile skull
so we came to avenge his death in turn
by hanging him from tall tree by dark sea
but we left him alive to feel his pain
while Aoide came with us by free will
for we never kidnap or enslave souls.
Third Mares lead gang of killers to our woods
burning homes and chopping down olive trees
and stealing herds of goats from our wood pens
so we followed and clashed in fight to win
defending homes against his vicious attacks.
Mercurius stares shocked in surprise at words
that twist his truth back exposing them lies
by false assumptions that blinded his eyes.
How quick my mind assumed your raging guilt
declaring you were evil for attacks
yet I failed to realize that your acts
sprang fierce from spark of their repulsive acts
for all men fight back against unjust crimes
by divine right of freedom to create
paradise with fruit trees by bubbling pond.
Blinded by illusions of my young eyes
I thought real truth was absolute and mine
but now I see that truth has many sides
since justice for one is crime for another
so what was right for us was wrong for you
causing justice to fall imbalanced down
so actions of my father lead to chaos
that breaks through transient peace of honesty
he forged on bones of death and crumbles now
exposing his corruption behind mask
of gold that made his temple of truth shine
to hide lies and greed in his rotting heart.
Saturnus laughs gentle as a waterfall.
I was also deceived by my own hate
for I saw you like your fierce father clad
in robes of war and raising high sharp sword
to strike us down with lightning in your eyes
but you standing in real flesh of hot blood
speaking beyond stone walls of moral truth
express deep understanding of our hearts
that soothes my heart with understanding love
so I believe we may live as good friends.
Mercurius drops Scepter of Zeos in dust.
My father claimed this land as our birthright
and I always believed this sacred creed
without question never thinking that men
and women and children lived here before
tending gardens and playing games by lakes
with more just claim of birth than my own claim.
Since dawn of time tribes of men seek new lands
building homes and farming fields to stake claim
of divine right to live safe and secure
but other tribes move in and stake their claim
contending over who has older right
when none knows who first settled any land
so two solutions resolve fierce conflicts
either bloody war to kill other clans
or peace through marriage of children to merge
rival clans in one family and share land.
My heart aches pierced by sorrow of dark truth
that your father and mother gentle souls
like mine loving parents who loved their kids
yet they were disinherited through war
and driven from fertile lands that we love.
While no human soul can be raised from death
and I cannot help you relive your years
in paradise stolen from your good clan
by my father and his weapon of power
yet I can declare law that all my clan
will follow trusting my judgment for truth
restoring your claims to lush lands we stole
if you are willing to share fields and lakes
and live with us side by side in firm peace.
Saturnus smiles and drops his piercing spear.
I accept your honest offer for peace
and drop weapon of war to cease our fight
so our clans may love together as friends
sharing fertile fields and lakes as our home.
Weaponless two warriors stand face to face
so tall Saturnus extends his right arm
then bold Mercurius grasps his arm in arm
and fierce enemies kiss cheeks as good friends.
Saturnus leads Moneta by her hand
bringing young woman from cavern of lights
where countless gems studding hard granite walls
twinkle bright from flickering flames like eyes
that blink full of strange dreams hidden in minds
of glad men where hope and faith are restored.
Moneta leaps laughing in his open arms
kissing Mercurius with passion of love
as son of Jupiter leads blushing bride
from Aidas underworld of hidden jewels
emerging into sunlight that gleams bright
in two pair of eyes that gaze with sweet love.
Mercurius invites Saturnus and his clan
to travel together to bright sea shore.
Come share feast with us in Temple of Truth
roasting goats and baking fresh loaves of bread
and we will brew juice from apples that grew
on hills of Ionia gleaming ripe red
since Hespera first planted seeds in soil
and tended shoots on shores of sparkling stream.
Saturnus blows horn gathering his clan
of Satyrs and Nymphs who dance and play pipes
to celebrate peace as they all proceed
down mountain slope to meadows of tall trees
where they feast and sing in Temple of Zeos.
Mercurius gathers farmers in grand hall
holding council of brothers after feast
to discuss solution for storing wheat
that keeps grain safe from hands of hungry thieves.
Mercurius stands wearing white cotton gown
with Moneta by his side wearing crown
of gold studded with jewels from mountain cave.
Inspired by visions that flooded my mind
when thinking how protect our fresh grain
I propose we build strong warehouse of stone
appointing garden guard to wield brass key
that alone opens doors to storage space
where we will bring all our harvested wheat
and keep jars of grain safe behind high walls
so rampaging gangs may steal useless dust
rather than bread that nourishes our souls.
After harvest each year before snow falls
making roads slick with sun-glittering frost
load wheat on wagons and bring to stone hall
produce of your hands to store behind walls
where our sons may stand guard holding sharp spears
protecting store of wealth from grasping hands.
Farmers cheer and approve his clever plan
eager now to construct firm walls of strength
so they work together building stone hall
cutting and hauling blocks to lift with cranes
and stack high walls enclosing storage space
under roof supported by rows of pillars
between four towers where guards may keep watch
to defend wheat against thieves scaling walls.
Machaon steps forward in wide council ring
and speaks with kind voice of questioning faith.
I like your plan to store our precious wheat
in one stone hall that is easy to defend
but how can I get back my share of grain
equal to what I bring so I receive
what I contribute to our common store
since each farmer will bring different amounts
based on blessing of careless weather gods.
Mercurius ponders his difficult question
considering ways to record how much wheat
each farmer brings with wagons in clay jars.
What clear symbol may I exchange for wheat
one token for one jar to reserve store
of grain returned to each in share they brought.
When I was young my father Jupiter
accepted nuggets of silver and gold
from worshippers who came for sacred feast
since he wanted to stockpile metal ore
for Vulcanus to smelt in furnace flame
and forge plates and bowls for our ritual meals
and scepters and cauldrons and round wheel rims
and other utensils for daily home use.
I will ask Vulcanus fire-smith to stamp
gold and silver into round shining coins
depicting sheaf of wheat as token sign
one coin representing one jar of wheat
on one side while on other side of coin
show my face as I wield Scepter of Zeos
so when you bring wagons of jars with grain
I will give you one coin for each stored jar.
Though since you each use different sized jars
perhaps we will exchange one stamped gold coin
for wheat weighed on honest balance scale
so every man will receive fair exchange
since one coin will represent same amount
of grain to assure all are treated fair.
Value of coins will be based on gold wheat
so full store of grain ensures social wealth
allowing you to buy created crafts
with gold coins that anyone may exchange
for measured bag of wheat in guarded hall.
This trade of commerce representing wealth
by symbol of gold coins shall be our game
to manage fair exchange of crafted goods
for bags of wheat so every clan may thrive.
Now that we established commercial bank
to store wheat safe in return for stamped coin
you can use to buy bread when cold snow falls
or exchange for any created craft
we must focus our efforts to defend
fertile lands ravaged and burned by wild gangs
who may follow thieves to invade our land.
Thus Mercurius invented money banks
named for Moneta who managed fair change
of goods for coins setting value of wealth
and loaf-ward elected to guard warehouse
where people store wealth of jewels and coins
reigns as lord trusted to distribute wealth
expanding system of national banks
so symbol of wealth transforms tokens stamped
with face of authority in god who rules
and wheat becomes coins becomes paper bills
becomes plastic credit cards we now use.