Sicily (1205) from Giamena by Tsirko

A rusted red bow, it struck the water upon Lebanon
Where 1,000 Muslim men all approach Sicilian shores
Save your olive branches
For the men of Italy only know the taste of war

A fine cut of lard, Guiscard, and his ilk
search for the smell of Sicilian silk
Wise old sages, visions concealing
Soldiers sip from the slurry-drip ceiling

The papacy, the people saw
The pastor came and conquered raw
With a glowing torch in hand
He said “this one is for the empire!”
King Frederick II of Sicilian shores
Cries in the pages of yore
"Once Jesus taught peace, now what remains is fire."

The Turkish pride of traders, merchants
Muslim men and Constantinoplians
Are gathered in packs, and right behind their back
mosque number thirteen
And there the emperor’s queen
Sleeps in a new bed everyday

Just then, the Mongol menace arrives
And a million Sicilian men give up their lives

• Experimental