Cai Luoma and the Parthians (1)
They tried it on him, the two Parthian brothers.
The older spoke first, in sorrowful tones:
“This sea, o my friend, is so vast and large,
With terrible storms, and many hidden dangers;
It may take years to cross it at all”.
Then spoke the younger, with honeyed words:
“ This we say to you in token of friendship,
Your faraway lord, no matter how wise,
Could not have known the dangers you face”.
Insisted the brothers, concern in their voices:
“Providing for many, your friends and retainers,
Will tax your resources, will leave you stranded,
Turn back while you can, we speak out of care”.
Greed moved their hearts, lies were they crafting,
But wise Cai Luoma, clear-eyed, brave-hearted
Eluded the trap of honeyed words.
He knew that the Parthians, old enemies of Rome,
Now traded in silk from empire to empire.
No love had they for an envoy from China
Entrusted to go, and treat with the Romans.
“ I thank your kind hearts,” he said to the brothers,
“Tomorrow we leave, We’ll head straight back home”.
He did not trust them, and lulled suspicions
But crafted a plan, while playing the fool.
And the morning after, just as the sun rose
The ambassador’s party was seen leaving town
With carriages and horses, with coffers and banners
While earlier that night, a nondescript group
In silence, by moonlight, had boarded a ship
Which now headed West, to Europe, and Rome.
His people all safe, all gathered on board,
Cai Luoma now laughed at what was in store.
For him an adventure well worthy of song
And for the two brothers, and all their cohorts
If gods were willing, and fates propitious
Maybe in a while, few years down the road
A nasty surprise would catch them unaware.
‘Cause friends talk to each other, need no middlemen.
Notes
(1) Fragment of a narrative poem on the travel of Cai Luoma and his group, the first Chinese embassy to Rome.