An Ode to Elephants

First introduced by Alexander the Great

For their size and power, elephants were used in war 

Some armies surrendered or accepted their fate

Because war elephants could kill 10,000 or more 

However, this military technology was not embraced by all

The Romans refused to use elephants in any way

A free republic would never play in a monarch’s game

Unfortunately, the men in the Roman army did fall

Their men were trampled as they ran away

But out of the darkness and bloodshed, honor became the republic’s name