23

To Athena

Though you, goddess of wisdom, never forgive

but raise your gorgon-shield before the face

of each sinner, hobbling him to one place

upon the mountain he must climb to live,

since you appear before me, clear-eyed, stern,

demanding this tether cut some god once tied,

who am I to rail that an Immortal lied

or grieve the joyous peril of your return?