Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:28:41 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden 70

Arden
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)


70:  Of Poems and Poets

1320, 3rd month, 13th day:

The wrestling match took place on the 12th day.  It was a good match and
Heron won.  Photois is about Heron's size, but weighs more.  He is very
strong in his upper body, mostly his shoulders.  He was not in as good over
all physical condition as Heron.  I appointed the head Pale coach (TN:
wrestling in Greek) as referee. He reminded everyone of the rules:

- No intentional hitting or kicking is permitted.

- No gouging the eyes or biting is permitted, since even the Pankration
does not allow these

- Twisting the fingers with the intention of forcing the opponent to
concede defeat is not permitted.

- Grasping the genitals is not permitted

- All other holds intended to persuade the opponent to concede defeat
through pain or fear are permitted and are an integral part of the contest

- Infractions shall be punished by immediate whipping by the referee until
the undesirable behavior is stopped

- Three points must be scored to win the match

     - A point can be scored in any of three ways:

                1. the opponent's back touching the ground at any time.

                2. by the opponent tapping or in some other way making
		clear that he concedes defeat through pain or fear.

                3. by the opponent making contact with ground outside the
		allocated wrestling-match ground with any part of his body,
		or by being lifted and carried out.

- After scoring a point, the opponent must be given time to rise on his
feet and a few moments more before the wrestling may continue.

- The match is both started and ended at the signal of the referee.

- The referee can at any time stop the match if he believes a point has
been scored but the contestants have continued to wrestle, unaware of the
point having been scored.

- The referee is in charge of the contest, his decision shall be final

- The wrestling-ground shall be a square, a PLETHRON: (TN: 100 Greek Feet;
28.5 by 28.5 Meters, the typical width of a running-track).

- The contestants shall begin the match at the center of the
wrestling-ground outside of each other's touching-range, the precise
distance being at the discretion of the referee.


They started in the standing position as is normal.  Photois caught Heron
off balance and sent him almost out of the wrestling-ground, so they needed
start again.  It was a bit slow at first, as each danced around looking for
a weak point to attack.  Several times they engaged, neither could find
advantage.  I could see Heron had the more powerful legs and was much
quicker.  Suddenly as they were engaged, arms on each other, Heron dropped
and pressed his head into Photois' body, at the same time he grabbed his
legs and drove with his own, upending Photois and placing him on his back.
"One point Heron."

They writhed around each gaining temporary advantage.  Heron was on top
most of the time but could not gain full control.  He succeeded in placing
Photois in a submission hold by getting his arms under him and locking his
fingers behind his neck.  Photois tapped the mat with is finger.  "One
point Heron"

Photois managed to force Heron out of the match area but it was at great
cost.  "One point Photois."  This time Heron faked for the leg lift and
moving like lightning; he got behind Photois, placing him in that neck lock
hold.  He eventually forced Photois to the mat and he tapped in again.
"One Point Heron, and match."

Both men were very tired and full of sweet.  They sat on the mat looking at
each other for a long while.  Suddenly Heron began laughing and Photois
too.  All the on lookers were mystified as was I.  It was a fair match and
the men were not terribly out of balance.  We were not quite sure what it
was they were laughing at.

The referee motioned for me to come forward.  I did.  Just as I was about
to claim my prize and call Panther forward, Heron shook his head no.  I
bent down to them, still sitting.

"Prince Arden, I think Photois has something to say publicly."  We looked
at him.

I gave him my hand and he rose.  I then assisted Heron.

"Prince Arden, Heron, Argyros I need make a public apology for how I have
acted.  I did what a father should never do, I tried to force my son into
the kind of man I thought he should be.  I have always been one to let my
mouth run ahead of my head.  In doing what I did I dishonored myself.
Instead of setting an example of how Argyros should become all he is
capable of, I set an example of how he should not.  I thought only of
myself in this.  I am prepared Prince."

It takes a man of character to publicly admit he has made errors.  It takes
character to accept without complaint the prescribed atonement.  I hope you
realize that which you took by force would have been freely given for the
asking.  I see no purpose in calming the prize as prescribed.  Rather I
would ask you lend your expertise and time to assist the coaches in
preparing these fine boys, to be fine men; wrestling men, who relish in the
spirit of sport, not to win so much as to have participated.

What we have all learned here today is simply this: It is better our sons
be men of good character, ones of courage, win or loose, than those who
fail to give their all.

Thoren appeared and I yielded.  "I need to tell you about one of our
ancestors.  The wrestler Milo of Kroton (Milvn) several times Olympic
champion for around 26 years.  He won the boys wrestling in the 60th
Olympiad (540 BC), five-time wrestling champion from the 62nd to the 66th
Olympiad, (532 to 516 BC).  He won many other matches and games and is said
to have displayed great strength.  Milo was not only a wrestler but also a
musician, a poet and a student of Pythagoras the mathematician, Philosopher
and Olympic boxing champion.  It is clear that being a fine athlete does
not preclude one from being a scholar or anything else.  It also tells us
many kinds of strengths exist in all of us; the true champion is one who
uses all he possesses.  One who truly becomes all he is capable of."

Later I wrote a poem.  I call it Standing At The Abyss (TN: Arden wrote
this in blank verse.  I hope I got it translated correctly.  Poems are
difficult to translate, meter aside.  Poems are often filled with language
specific shorthand, illusions, cultural and literary references.  They have
a mood or tone, also a voice.  The translator often must substituted
illusions that achieve this.  He must often do this in prose too; in prose
the meaning or intent is often much clearer.  Sometimes I have no choice
but to retain his Greek word as no English word quite relays the same
overall meaning and the poem's economy allows no choice.  I am never
completely sure when translating Arden's or Odo's poems that I have
captured the full intent.  I often fear I am substituting me for them.
Greek is said to have a word for everything.  If that be true, English has
several, neither apparently enough.)

Ledge above the rocky rapid Resolute gulp, descent Eyes affixed down Heart
pounds franticly Will over mind, will over mind He leaps...

Piercing chilled waters Bulging muscles rip open a space The sun-bronzed
kouros emerges Fierce eagle's cry Yielding in his eyes He weeps...

Naked he stands Silhouetted against the rising fire Young manhood
reaffirmed A solemn bow of burning desire As the supreme spirit unveils his
work He is one with its' force...



1320, 3rd month, 14th day:

Ikraam is now well settled into the university.  He and Odo see each other
frequently.  Odo was so impressed with my poem that he brought Ikraam to
the castle just to read it.  "Prince Arden this is truly a masterful use of
language.  It follows no rules and conveys much meaning, thought and
emotion."  I thanked him, turning bright red at the same time.

Iason was also most impressed and he made it known to all just how much so.
He made it known to me through his tender touch and ardent love making.
Which culminated by Kastor and Poly fucking us while we fucked Dios and
Nikias.

Tonight was a family dinner.  Sophia and Eudoxia are both showing greatly.
They should deliver in the sixth month.  All the women seem greatly excited
about this.  I know Iason and Alex are as well, we men just do not
demonstrate it.  Father and Uncle gathered the grandchildren around them
while the young princes formed another table by themselves, as did their
female cousins another.  Uncle and Lady Lucia joined us with Kastor and
Poly.  Melitta with the cousins.

I always enjoy these times.  We laugh and joke and tease and as always are
forbidden to speak of business.  Mostly we trade our life experiences, our
doubts and our fears.  Umar and Akakios are still talking about their visit
to Bejaia.  Almost everyone has some musical ability and we often sing and
play for each other.  Lysandros has been composing his own songs for his
clavichord.  They are not overly complex but quite melodic.  I noticed that
Umar almost always caries a small booklet and charcoal.  He seems to sketch
and draw continually.

Our discussions, us older princes, centered tonight on what it is that
motivates men to do what they do.  I quoted Epictetus,

"In a word, neither death, nor exile, nor pain, nor anything of this kind
is the real cause of our doing, or not doing any action, but our inward
opinion and principles."

He is often the most quotable of Stoics, much better than Zeno.  I find
many of his ideas most interesting.  His instance that one must strive for
arete (TN: Arete is usually translated as virtue when in the context of
moral philosophy unless it is direct reference to its' true meaning, which
is excellence.  I think Arden's ideas are more in line with excellence than
the Latin virtus from which we get virtue.) fits well with my own thinking.
None disagreed with me in principal but several thought more along the
lines of Plato as expressed in the Euthydemus and Meno dialogues.  I was
most surprised at how much attention the younger ones were paying to our
discussion.  I was most heartened by it, as this is not the kind of
learning that takes place in school or the type of literature they would
wish to read.

Euthalia was most amours last night when we returned from the social
evening.  The twins were already asleep and I put Umar and Akakios to bed
they were tired and quickly fell asleep.  Euthalia was on me before I even
had a chance to shed my tunic.


1320, 3rd month, 16th day:

Today was most exciting for us.  Our Ambassador to Byzantium came with the
merchant Agoustus and an oriental visitor.  His name is Wan Yuan he was
introduced as a navel architect.  He is not very tall and quite thin.  His
face is round and his hair is black and straight.  He has a wide smile and
is very soft spoken.  Agoustus had met him in Constantinople as he arrived
accompanying the silk trader he buys from.  Learning that Wan was a
designer of ships he took him to the Imperial court, however they were not
the least bit interested in hiring him.  Wan had been working for silk
traders but those skills were not all that in demand in the city either.

Agoustus introduced him to The Ambassador who had the presence of mind to
inquire into his knowledge of ships and ship building.  When he learned
that Chinese ships use sails as ours do and the size of these ships, even
larger than our Prince Class, he insisted he come to Parga.  Odo does not
speak Chinese, none of our translators do.  We were fortunate that Wan
speaks some Greek and good Arabic.

Father and Uncle were most gracious and after a brief conversation with
them invited us to join.  Wan described the kinds of ships built in China.

"The Chinese vessels are of three kinds; large ships called chunks (TN:
junks), middle sized ones called zaws (TN: dhows) and the small ones
kakams.  The large ships have anything from twelve to three sails, which
are made of bamboo rods plaited into mats.  They are never lowered, but
turned according to the direction of the wind; at anchor they are left
floating in the wind.  Some of the larger ships also use cloth sails which
can be lowered.

A large war ship carries a complement of a thousand men, six hundred of
whom are sailors and four hundred men-at-arms, including archers, men with
shields spires, who throw naphtha.  Three smaller ones, the "half", the
"third" and the "quarter", accompany each large vessel.  These vessels are
built in the towns of Zaytun (TN: a.k.a Zaitun; today's Quanzhou;
刺桐) and Sin-Kalan. The vessel has four decks and contains rooms,
cabins, and saloons for merchants; a cabin has chambers and a lavatory, and
can be locked by its occupants.

This is the manner after which they are made: two (parallel) walls of very
thick wooden (TN: planking) are raised and across the space between them
are placed very thick planks (TN: the bulkheads) secured longitudinally and
transversely by means of large nails, each three ells in length. When these
walls have thus been built the lower deck is fitted in and the ship is
launched before the upper works are finished," he told us.

We talked about construction methods, wood thickness and so on.  He
expressed his surprise that the ships he had seen so far were both small,
by comparison, and the Galleys rowed.

I rather like him and inquired about his education.  He had studied
mathematics, history and Confusion and Buddhist philosophy and worked for
several years as an apprentice for a shipwright in Zaytun.  Iason asked why
he left for the west?

"I fell in love with the youngest daughter of the shipwright, my master.
He had promised his daughter to another.  The daughter was so upset that
she killed herself.  Her father was furious and so was her bothered, who
attacked me.  I was able to defend myself and killed him with his own
sword.  Then I fled as quickly as I could.  Everyone thought I had gone to
sea or on a river boat; I traveled overland, mostly walking.  I apprenticed
my self to a silk trader.  He made arrangements with a Persian in Baghdad
and here I am.  It only took two years to get here.

All I want to do is design and build ships.  That is all I ever wanted to
do, since I was a boy."

We took him with us to our mid day meal, the four terrors and several
others joined us.  Later that afternoon the Prince Polydeukus came into
port.  Poly summoned us to the terrace pointing out his named ship.  Wan
was most impressed and when Joulous handed him the far see, even more so
and not only by the ship.

We learned much about him and his experience.  Also about how the Chinese
ships work and navigate.  I assured him when he sailed on the Prince Class
ships he would not only see how we do things and also how similar our two
navies were but also how his ideas and experience could assist in making
our ships better and faster.  I don't think he believed me when I described
how our ships navigate.  I could see he was very excited by the prospect.

Lyuben came in leading Agoustus, the Ambassador, Father and Uncle.  He was
greatly excited and burst into his news for us.  All this lack of formality
was most mystifying to Wan who knew none of the history or much of our way.
Agoustus had just told him he had freed his mother and she would be
arriving in Parga in about three weeks.  Dios, sharp as ever, suggested his
father should employ her as housekeeper.  He looked at Iason with his large
brown eyes and Iason melted.  He has been his beloved boy long enough to
get most anything his heart desires from the Crown Prince or any of us for
that matter.  Iason declared it a perfect solution.

To much laughter, Uncle said, "Since when is it the preview of the Crown
Prince or any other prince, to decide the household staff of any citizen,
let alone our Rear Admiral?"

"I, uh, I would ask him of course."

Uncle smiled.  "The Ambassador has told me the situation in Byzantium is
less stable then we thought.  Michael the 9th is not in good health and it
would appear that a power struggle may ensue if he were to suddenly die.
He is now in Thessalonica grieving for his youngest son Manuel; who was
accidentally murdered by retainers of Andronikos 2nd, his co-emperor and
also his oldest son Andronikos 3rd.  It is all very complicated but not
unusual for those people."

Poor Wan was mystified and almost terrified when Father spoke to him.

"Tell me Wan have you decided if you want to stay in Parga?"

I could see he was headed for Father's feet and stopped him.  I held him up
gently.

"Yes Sire very much so."  I was thinking he in fact had no place else to
go.  "Good, I am sure both you and Parga will benefit."

Over dinner it was decided Lyuben, Odo and Iason would see to Wan's
orientation, housing and so on.  For his part Wan was most surprised at how
young we all were.  I thought he was to faint when Umar and Akakios were
introduced as my sons.  I did need smile at it, explaining they were foster
children and my own children are babies yet.  When I said babies, tears
rose up in his eyes.  I take it his lover took not only her own life but
another at the same time.  He is not all that old a fellow I would guess
only two or three years older then us.

"Thank you, Prince."  It is nothing, I responded, if you wish to confide in
me or any of us you will find us good listeners.  The easiest of any to
talk to is a young knight named Miltiades.  He is the one on the end of
that long table, I pointed.

Lyuben spoke next, "It will take you some time to learn our ways and the
customs here.  We are much different then anything you have probably ever
encountered before.  Odo and I will do our best.  You must tell us of your
adventures in getting here.  I think it best that we get our story tellers
to listen."  He jumped up.

Odo told him, "We are all one big family here."

"I have seen aids to many.  I was one myself, to the merchant.  I have
never encountered aids or knights that just do things without seeking
permission of their prince or employer," Wan said.

"That is exactly why Lyuben is our aid.  If I must do his thinking for him
I may as well do things myself," Iason added.

Thoren and Stephnos appeared and were introduced.  Wan began telling his
stories with Odo translating, soon everyone had moved closer to hear about
life in a caravan on the silk road.  It was fascinating and I am sure he
will captivate us on many more evenings.

The young boys were the most excited and crowded around sitting on the
floor and our laps to hear.  After a short while Umar helped Odo with the
translating.  I think he was surprised to see Umar speaking Arabic.

I was most heartened to learn that others were doing things much as we
were.  I know that in such things as ship building or the use of wind over
oars, were arrived at independently.  I am sure other innovations like
paper, printing type, rockets and gun powder did move east to west.  I hope
some of our ideas move west to east.  I am sure Wan will be most surprised
to see what we have done with some of these things.

From some of his comments I am lead to believe the philosophy, religion and
cultural approach to governance has both fostered and hindered innovation
in both of our societies.  I will be most interesting to investigate these
differences and the motivations behind them.  I think this examination will
provide me with some wisdom and perhaps inspirations.  Some of these
differences are already known to me.  Our ancestors believed thinking more
important than doing.  I suspect Wan's ancestors were more willing to
experiment.  I also suspect that innovations by most anyone, results from
two main sources; one is necessity and the other chance.  I would guess the
religious, custom and governance differences tell more about how those
necessities were addressed or the chances taken advantage of, then anything
else.


1320, 3rd month, 21st day:

Today is the mid point between the solstices, it is the spring equinox the
first day of spring.  We have already celebrated that but several of the
religious groups consider it a sacred day.

Nikias, Joulous and Justus will receive their seals of office in the
council meeting this afternoon.  They will also be resigning as pages on
the first day of the fourth month.  Akakios will become a page soon.

Young Spiros has been unofficially adopted by Dios and Agapios.  Hilarus
has been appointed by Kastor to oversee the training of the new pages.  I
am sure Kastor will appoint him Page Captain when the current one becomes
16, later this summer. I am still concerned that young Alfred has not shown
his talent or his desire.  Volos assures me he will in his own time and I
need be patient.  Every one of us is different and we do not all develop at
some absolute predetermined pace.  In general most will have shown some
talent by has age but some are quicker and others slower.  He is correct
and I know it.  I for one was early in almost everything except my height.
Iason as quick in sex but not as quick in responsibility.

Ikaros and Dysme came to me with a minor crisis.  They have run out of
nardus in all its forms.  (TN: Lavender) Our baths and bedding will just
not smell so pleasant.  To them however, this was unthinkable.  Poly asked
Janus to have a rider fetch some from the Argoanuts at the southern estate.

Un daunted by this Odo organized one of his sex games for the family.  In
this game he erected a long rail about three feet from the floor.  The top
of the rail was padded.  Along it's length he arranged, he did not but he
had the chamber boy, blankets on the floor.  He lay himself down first
turning on his side and lifting his left leg to hook his heal on the
rail. This exposed his anus, Kalkrates lay next to him doing the same
pressing his penis into Odo's anus.  In turn, one after another followed, I
pressed my penis into Hy and Nikias into me, Joulous into him and so on.
Once in position we all fucked starting with the far end as if a wave or
series of waves passed through us.

I am not sure what position I like the best for these things.  I have been
on either end and in the middle.  The middle does have the advantage of
allowing you to fuck and be fucked at he same time.  Given enough of us we
could form a complete circle.

I think this a fitting way to celebrate our brothers being given their
seals of office and first day of spring.  Not that this group needs any
help with its fertility.  Every available female is either expecting or
nursing.  We now have so many young children that Poly and Kass are helping
me in being father models for them.


1320, 3rd month, 23rd day:

Yesterday morning I rode to Koalhurst.  I did not ride alone.  Volos,
Pyrros, Pamphilos, Nikias' guardian, Nikias, Hygonis, Euthalia and the
twins, Edward, Umar and Akakios all accompanied me.  I had sent Abernath
money and he saw that our parents had a fine new house that was able to
sleep many grand children.  We all rode horses.  The twins were carried in
back slings by Hyginos and Nikias.

My mother was just a little disappointed that we had no new grandchildren
for her to spoil.  That is just her way of telling me how proud and pleased
she is with her youngest son.  I was pleased with the new house, it is
large and has a number of bedrooms and a very large eating area.  The whole
family can gather at once and we are now quite large with fifteen grand
children and more to come I am sure.  I took Edward, Abrith, Abernath and
Nikias to see where my new country retreat was to be located.  They were
most impressed.  The architects tell me construction should start next
month.

Both mother and father were most impressed with Akakios' singing and Umar's
playing.  So to were all that could hear them.  Everyone was also most
impressed with Hyginos.  This was their first time in meeting him and his
in Koalhurst.  Once away from the women Abernath asked Hy what he did as my
personal aid except keep the bed warm.  Hy immediately became bright red
and stumbled to try and answer.

Edward quickly came to his rescue, "Uncle Abernath just wants to know if
you are available to share his."


1320, 3rd month, 28th day:

I had no opportunity to record anything for the past few days.  I must
admit I completely enjoyed myself not needing to think about anything
except my friends and family.  We sang and danced, swam and ran, rode our
animals and just enjoyed ourselves.

Edward inspected his experimental garden plot.  He and I did manage to
prepare detailed instructions for Abernath and his tenders.

Just about everyone came to pay their respects and chat with me.  We often
found ourselves sitting in the shade by the post office.  I have managed to
keep on good terms with all of those I knew as a child.  Many tell me how
proud they are of my accomplishments.  I know Karyakos has kept in contact
with many of his childhood friends and his birth family but I do not think
he spends much if any time in his home village, not since I came to live
with him.

The mayor was delighted that I was building a summer home near the village.
He feels that I am somehow responsible for the benefits that have come to
Koalhurst in recent years.  The improvements in the roads and the expansion
of the koal mines have brought much to the village.  None of this was my
doing but he insists it is.

My mother was most impressed with Umar's artistic abilities.  She was most
proud of a sketch depicting her preparing food in the kitchen.  I think he
is developing a style that will be all his own.  In this sketch he has
spent much time getting great detail in her face but the remainder is only
suggested or crudely outlined at best.  In effect it is a portrait in
context.  That context is only suggested and the viewer's eye must focus on
the detail of the face.  It not only provides information about the subject
but just enough is added to say something about how that person relates to
the world.

My parents, the boys' grand parents were delighted with their description
of the journey and happenings in Bejaia.  I could see the light in Abrith's
eyes as they described the old sultan's reactions.  I could see he was most
proud of me, not for having taken them, for having taught them well.  I
must admit, at least to myself, it is not so much my teaching skills but
the philosophy that was taught to me by both my fathers and mothers, that
was most pleasing to him.

This story telling by the boys has stimulated much thinking in my own mind.
Not about the what, when or why of the story, the narrative, but about the
role of narrative in our very existence.  The stories we tell are more than
an edited list of happenings.  They may be that but must include by the
very act of editing and telling much about the author or authors.  They
cary a perception and by the process, layers of messages.

Unlike a geometric figure, for example an equal sided triangle, stories are
not complete descriptions of anything.  If ten men describe that triangle,
all following the same mathematical convention, all ten descriptions, if
complete will describe exactly the same thing; ten competent students, each
reading one of the descriptions will construct from each identical figures.
If ten competent writers, each describe exactly the same time, place,
actions and so on the result will be ten similar but different stories.

It is like the child's pass the message game.  A short message is read by
the first person and whispered to the second who wishers it to a third and
so on.  The tenth child is then asked to repeat the message.  That repeat
is compared to the initial written message.  We all know the results as the
difference is always a great source of mirth.

I have often noticed in my court how different, witness' accounts can often
be, of the same event.  That is one reason witnesses are not allowed to
listen to the descriptions of others.  At times I am left to wonder if
these people were in fact at the same place, at the same time and watched
the same event.  None are being willfully untruthful.  The detail they
remember is just different.  The detail they paid attention to is
different.  Their interpretations and assumptions are different.  Sometimes
they even imagine they saw what they did not or failed to take notice of
that they did.

As pages we learned to hold messages or lists in our heads with great
accuracy.  This is a memory trick used by poets and others.  Their are
several methods, the location or position method, popularized by Simonides
is one good one.  While it works for many things, the list or text is
actively memorized or perhaps just easily remembered from force of habit.
It is only accurately remembered by taking notice.

If you ask me, any page or our poets to describe something they had not
taken specific notice of their memories are no better or more accurate than
others.

If for example you ask a soldier to describe a battle, he will give you
great and accurate detail about his opponents and their weapons but if you
ask him about anything else, even if he was in a good position to observe,
his accuracy drops off and is no better then anyone else's.

That does not mean he will not be able to tell a compelling and powerful
story about that battle.  Much of it will be the result of his imagination,
experience and speculation woven into his actual observations.  What then
the function?

The use and purpose of stories is to teach and to inform.  They are how we
men make sense of ourselves and the world.  They are how we share
experience or ideas with others.  I think a good story is just that, a good
story.  I think good stories have another property.  They are meaningful to
all that hear them.