1

In the book Fourth of the Peloponnese Wars

Thucydides tells the story of his unsuccessful expedition

Among the long talk of the chiefs,

Battles, sieges and plagues,

dense network of intrigues,

diplomatic procedures

This episode is like a pin

in the forest

Athenian colony Amfipolis

fell into the hands of Brazydas

Because Thucydides had been late for the rescue

He paid to his hometown

with a lifelong exile

Exiles of all times

Know what price it is

2

Generals of recent wars

if there is a similar affair

whine on the knees before posterity

Praise their heroism

and innocence

accuse subordinates

envious colleagues

Unfriendly winds

Thucydides says only

he had seven ships

it was winter

and he sailed swiftly

Czesław Miłosz [1]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czes%C5%82aw_Mi%C5%82osz