Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Dutch
“Happy New Year. Can You Believe It’s 26 B.C.? I’m Still Writing 28 B.C. On My Checks,” 1891
Oil on canvas
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Info about this artist is pointed to by my comment in an earlier blog entry.
/// They must find ways to fill up their days,
beyond basking in love talk and praise.
‘Round the fountain they laze;
at their lovers they gaze,
until all of their eyes start to glaze.
/// Love in Idleness seems a bit boring,
languid women adored and adoring.
Their men aren’t out warring,
or exploring, or whoring.
Lovin’ idleness, both men are snoring.
/// It is people like this who fall prey
to intoxicants used in their day.
Some get drunk; some get high.
and the ones who don’t die,
watch their useless years drifting away.
/// They’ll be living “in interesting days,”
forced by fate to adjust their old ways.
When barbarians come
they must flee or succumb.
War is hell, (but it ends their malaise).
/// Said a dirty old man who loves vice,
“If those lesbians truly were nice,
there’d be public display
of affection today.
Let me watch and I’ll pay a fair price.”
> or <
/// “Wed Caligula? You must be addled!
For years virtue and vice he has straddled.
He’s a madman, of course,
and concerning his horse,
with a Senate career it’s been saddled.”