This time so hard you'll try, For Life, your only "Why?"

SYNOPSIS:

IV XX

“This Day so hard you'll try,

for Life, your only “Why?”.

Author's Note: In grade eight (12), my English teacher read Lord Byron Macauley's 1850 poem titled “Horatius at the Bridge” to the class. I read it to my grade twelve class (16).

I re-discovered it (55), memorized it and, since I was writing rhymes to women all over the world - with great results - on the Internet, I thought I could modernize this Classic.

I first added a 'prequel' through Horatius' soliloquy as a lead up to the issues he is about to face, that fateful “trysting day” because I felt there was something missing in the original poem. Honoring the structure, I augmented Lord Byron's structure plus the introduction, depth and growth of characters, plot and logistics. (We, the audience, are more jaundiced than they were in the Victorian Era.)

It takes about seventy minutes to read this poem straight through and it is a one Scene, three Act play with two transition scenes plus Epilogue and Addenda. I have played all the parts, including the Hero's new love interest, Alba, who recently came from a Nunary to teach Romans religion through Song.

The Story:

In DIX BC (509, B.C.), All Italian cities are jealous of Rome. Many people feel the tension, including Horatius, Captain of the Gate of Rome. After years of combat, training others, and councelling the Senate, he has PTSD, drinks and smokes too much marijuana. He is now a Doorman for Rome because the Counsel does not know what to do with a soldier who outlives his colleagues and usefulness. The morning of Four Twenty he talks to himself on 'What if Rome is ever attacked?'

IV XX is that day.

Act I – Buildup. The attack, planned by Lars Parsena, requires the solicitation of neighbouring cities to join forces to attack Rome on a “trysting day” that is chosen to be April twentieth on the Gregorian calendar (1582), American vernacular (1776). Characters are introduced as a build-up to the event.

Trasition Scene – In the Brave Days of Old, Romans treated other Romans better.

Act II - He defends the bridge to Rome with two others who challenge the twelve cities to send their best to accost these three. Rome watches, including Alba, new to Rome who is smitten with Horatius.

Transition Scene – Lars Parsena rushes on Horatius thrice, thrice retreats.

Act III – Council orders their retreat. His two buddies run back, Horatius stays. Bridge collapses. Horatius swims across. All party.

Epilogue: A week passes, truce flags are raised. Detente. Horatius finally gets a plot of land as a reward, a statue and epic story of himself... everything he hoped for. The only issue is that he is still alive, has PTSD but hopeful since he makes his teas and drinks his beer, finally retired, with the four octave Opera singing lady*, he will become happy.

Addenda: Horatius' prophetic thoughts on the future...

* Opera singer, Ms. Paulette Zonfeld (see You Tube).