Revised: Lament of Julius the Stalwart

His name is called, but none shall answer. They look for him, upon the towers of Sodaria, but none will see him return. His name is called, but no longer will the son of Markus answer.

Through the fields of Narowind, fields of golden wheat, to the marble city of Sodaria, did the sun shine bright over her Empire. Though, heavy upon her heart, did she wonder. Where art thou is one of her sons, who stood proudly with his Lady's mark.

Where, did she wonder, might her young Julius traveled, so far from home was he.

To the eastern wind, did she ask.

"Oh, Eastern Wind, with your caress so gentle, have you seen my son? Have you seen my Julius, long has he been gone and I yet worry."

With wonder in its voice, did the Eastern Wind say.

"Upon a stallion, coat white as snow, did I see him ride. Eyes beaming with life, head held high. Julius held his gladius South, with only friend at his back and foe unseen at his front."

O Julius, where has thou gone? Where has thou travelled? Our mother does seek for thee, searching where her wayward son has gone. What glory has called to you? What deeds have thee done in her name? O Julius, where has thou gone, for our mother does grieve for her son.

To the southern wind, did she ask.

"Oh, Southern Wind, with your wandering silence, have you seen my son? Have you seen my Julius, long has he been and I yet worry."

With curiosity in its voice, did the Southern Wind say.

"In taverns and road, did I see him with friend a plenty. Merry and happy did he sing, songs of glory and honor. He welcome all, and declined none. To the West did he sing, with many in company of merry. To the West you must ask."

O Julius, where has thou gone? Where has thou travelled? Our mother does seek for thee, searching where her wayward son has gone. What glory has called to you? What deeds have thee done in her name? O Julius, where has thou gone, for our mother does grieve for her son.

To the western wind, did she ask.

"Oh, Western Wind, with your gusts of fury, have you seen my son? Have you seen my Julius, long has he been gone and I yet worry."

With pride in its voice, did the Western Wind say.

"Upon battlefields of many, did I see him. With gladius in hand, laying low all for who stood. With scutum in hand, shielding the innocent from harm. To the north, did I see him charge, with band sounding their horns and waving banners. To the north, did the centurion travel."

O Julius, where has thou gone? Where has thou travelled? Our mother does seek for thee, searching where her wayward son has gone. What glory has called to you? What deeds have thee done in her name? O Julius, where has thou gone, for our mother does grieve for her son.

To the northern wind, did she ask.

"Oh, Northern Wind, with your knowledge so vast, have you seen my son? Have you seen my Julius, long has he been gone, and I yet worry. Long had he tarry, and I grieve."

With heavy words, did the Northern Wind say.

"I have seen your son, shining mother of old. Loud was his cry of glory, many did the young centurion fought. His gladius shattered, and body withered; the centurion stood until breath was stolen from him. Head held high, and body broken, the Son of Markus now lays upon upon bloody snow. Young Julius is no more, Shining Mother."

With heavy heart, did the Sun set upon the West. Tears filling cloudy skies, knowing that she must grieve once more. She must grieve, for another Son has fallen, and will no longer greet his mother with a smile towards her light.

Woe be to Julius, for long did he try. Woe be to Julius, for long did he fight the shadow. But, fight no more and rest thy head upon stone of gray, for thy time has come to an end. The son has been laid to rest.

Long did he fight, but now the Silver Lion is no more and we mourn a Child of the Sun once more.