WAITING FOR THE BARBARS

What are we waiting for in such a gathered market place?

Barbarians are coming here today.

Why is there no movement in the Senate?

Why do senators sit without making laws?

Because the barbarians are coming today.

Why should senators make laws?

Once the barbarians come, they will make the laws.

Why is our emperor up so early?

Why was his throne established at the biggest gate of the city,

crowned at the head, ready for the ceremony?

Because the barbarians are coming today,

our emperor who went out to meet their leader.

He also prepared a great edict.

granting him ranks and titles.

Why are our two consuls and our judges like this?

Did they come dressed in embroidered red robes?

Why such ruby bracelets, shiny,

they wear splendid emerald rings?

Why so gold in your hands,

silver inlaid wands?

Because the barbarians are coming today,

such jewelry dazzled them.

Where are our famous speakers?

Why don't they make speeches as usual?

Because the barbarians are coming today,

they didn't care much for nice words.

Why this unexpected surprise, this turmoil?

(How hung on everyone's face!)

Why are the streets and spaces emptying so quickly?

Why is everyone going home distracted?

Because it was dark, the barbarians did not come.

and according to the messengers returning from the border,

There were no such people as barbarians anymore.

So what are we going to do now without the barbarians?

They were a kind of solution to our problems.

Constantino CAVAFIS