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Book 1, Chapter Four: The Olympic Games, Pages 79 and 80

On arrival at Pisa, where the year’s Olympics are set,
when the horses and the chariot are at last brought to prep,
to be smoothed, washed and decked with all the finery befitting a worthy competition,
Alexander and Hephaestion venture off
for a getaway in the city.

Arm-in-arm they savour
fresh pomegranate,
and buskers free
and shops aplenty,
full of trinkets galore.

However a sight unusual catches
the attention of Hephaestion.
Excitedly, he taps Alexander’s shoulder.
“Ooh Alexander. Look!
Check him out!”

Now, my friends, what is this sight
other than a strapping fellow,
purple-coated and
black-haired braided sparkling
with ribbons of gold,
hoisted in a litter,
proud and arrogant in the halo of his
good looks and untold wealth.
You know the type.

Alexander shivers,
“Aiee! If that isn’t the tackiest garden ornament I’ve ever seen!”

Hephaestion tries not to laugh at his friend’s remark,
and just as well,
for the garden ornament is now on his way to greet them,
noble to noble.