Byzantium Against The Muslims Stands

.... Logothetes were high officials in charge

of specific provinces or Themes within
the Byzantine Empire.

The Varangian Guard is the equivalent

of the Praetorian Guard of ancient Rome.

Alexius Comnenus was Byzantine emperor

circa 1185

The Logothetes arm up

And they will fight The Moorish armies
Which advance by night
Deus gratia.
Beset by sweat and struggle
Through infernal regions
With mercenary legions
Of Swedes and Danes
And wild Varangian Guards
Upon the Cappadocian Theme
They will die and bleed
For they know well
The wail of minaret
The call to prayer, to slaughter.
The impetus if Islam must be stopped
Though takes the blinding of a thousand men
And leaving one with but a single eye.
Against the crescent oceans they will stand.
Deus Gratia.
Alexius Comnenus
Feared the wild Crusaders
Knowing Franks were just barbarians
Who might destroy his City
Use his precious gold for loot.
And rape the golden Horn to boot.
But colors of the Prophet
He hated with a frenzy
And held them hotly
Flashing Grecian fire,
Held them long and lasting
With icons and with fasting
Until the West had found its feet
To stand.

Carl Estrin