Alexandria is probably my favourite, but I also love "Waiting for the Barbarians", which I'm sure you know!


What are we waiting for, gathered in the market-place?

The barbarians will come today.

Why is there no activity in the senate?
Why are the senators seated without legislating?

Because the barbarians will come today;
What laws can the senators pass now?
The barbarians, when they come, they'll make the laws.

Why has our emperor risen so early,
and is seated at the greatest gate of the city
on the throne, in state, wearing the crown?

Because the barbarians will come today,
and the emperor is waiting to receive their leader.
He has even prepared a parchment to give him.
There he has written out for him many titles and names.

Why did our two consuls and our praetors come out today
in the scarlet, the embroidered togas?
Why did they put on bracelets with so many amethysts,
and rings with bright flashing emeralds?
Why did they get hold of the precious staves
splendidly wrought with silver and gold?

Because the barbarians will come today;
and such things dazzle barbarians.

And why don't the worthy orators come as always
to deliver their speeches, and say what they usually say?

Because the barbarians will arrive today,
and they are bored with eloquence and public speaking.

Why has this uneasiness suddenly started, this confusion?
How grave the faces have become!
Why are the streets and squares quickly emptying,
and why is everyone going back home so very concerned?

Because night has fallen and the barbarians have not come.
And some men have arrived from the frontiers
and they said that there are no barbarians any more.

And now, what will become of us without barbarians?
Those people were a kind of solution.