COME, OH KING OF THE LACEDAEMONIANS
Kratisikleia didn’t condescend
to let the people see her crying and grieving;
she walked gracefully and silently.
Her collected face didn’t show
any of her sorrow and extreme torment.
But nonetheless for a moment she couldn’t hold it;
and before she boarded the wretched ship for Alexandria,
she took her son to the temple of Poseidon,
and when they were alone she embraced him
and she kissed him, he was “in great pain”, says
Plutarch and “deeply troubled”.
But her strong character struggled;
and after recovering, the admirable woman
said to Kleomenis “Come, oh king
of the Lacedaemonians, when we go out
let no one see us crying
or acting in a manner unworthy of Sparta.
Let this alone remain between us;
as for our fate, let it be as the gods wish it.”
And she boarded the ship going toward what the gods wished.
Manolis Aligizakis 