For the Victors

AFTER the city is taken, the last defenders
Cut down in the inner court, the king too,
The women driven away to the ships in the light of the fire,
The children disposed of in one way or another
(Shut your eyes, little boy, the wall is very high),
Then let the victors beware, for this is their day.

The gods who helped you in battle will help you no longer;
Success must be had at this price, that heaven deserts you.

Over the unharvested sea the ships disperse.
This one will never come home; the salt has entered
The mouth of arrogance, for the rocks are sharp.
This one is blown to the south and this to the west
Ten weary years from home. And the general
Returns in triumph to a bloody shroud.

Beware, for the victors are not beloved of heaven;
The vanquished have taken your place in the hearts of the gods.

The years of the war lacked nothing in strength, in piety,
The sacrifices were made in due course;
But the night the city was burned there was much forgotten,
The altars were left untended, or worse, defiled,
And no one remembered that not by these swords alone
The impregnable towers are fallen, the enemy slain.

Believe me, this is the hour of the sharpest danger;
In the moment of victory pray to avoid defeat.