....this poem is dedicated to our fellow-poet here at HP, Marisa White...
Corax versus Tisias*
(1) CORAX PRESENTS HIS CASE
Sirs, you most esteemed judges in all of Syracuse
most revered in all of our Greek world
I, Corax - known fondly, no doubt, as The Crow -
charge this man Tisias my student in rhetoric
of a mean trick against me, his teacher; he is a cheat
He entreated me often to teach him the smooth Art of Persuasion
the Perfection I had shaped in Rhetoric
And I agreed, after due consideration, prompted by my sense of duty;
and it was agreed he would pay me only if he wins
his first case in our esteemed courts
But Sirs, mark you well his treachery -
for having learned of me my 5-Stage Movement in Persuasion
he then has refused to take any legal case in court
so he would never have to pay me my due
And so it is now I have forced him to court;
and so I trust, most Honourable Judges, in your wisdom
If I win the case, I should naturally receive all payment;
if I should lose the case, Tisias wins, and so - logically -
he should pay me…Ah, I submit myself to your wisdom
(2) TISIAS PRESENTS HIS CASE
Sirs, it is most true I was taught by Corax
but I have not kept away from court deliberately
but of fear - for I have no confidence in the rhetoric
he has taught me
For all he taught me was reliance on flattery
which I know, Sirs, never moves you
And so Sirs, if I should lose, it is I who should be paid
by the terms of the agreement;
and if I should win, in spite of his poor instruction,
then it is I again who should be paid for I win then
by my own naturalness
and by your aversion to flattery
(3) THE ESTEEMED JUDGES MAKE THEIR DECISION KNOWN
“Kakou korakas kakon oon”*
which translated in the vernacular, you commoners, is:
“Bad Crow, Bad Egg”
Case dismissed!
Throw the Crow and its Egg out of this Revered Court!
1) This poem is dedicated to our fellow-poet here at HP, Marissa White.
She describes herself as: “A senior in high school just trying to make my way through life. This is my poetry. I would really like to improve as a writer so critiques are welcome.”
Do read her poems – each one is full of life and deep thought, and originality.
2) Google "Corax of Syracuse" for more information on the historical context. The poem is based on information in the book "You Talking to Me? Rhetoric from Aristotle to Obama" by Sam Leith
