Why have our two consuls and praetors come out today
wearing their embroidered, their scarlet togas?
Why have they put on bracelets with so many
amethysts, and rings sparkling with magnificent emeralds?
Why are they carrying elegant canes beautifully
worked in silver and gold?
Because the barbarians are coming today and things
like that dazzle the barbarians.
C P Cavafy
tr. Keeley and Sherrard