Colin F. Jones

BELLEROPHON AND THE WINGED HORSE

Bellerophon bore a letter to the court of King Iobates,
from the Kings own kinsman, Proetus, no less,
but Proetus was jealous that his foul letter states,
That Bellerophon be killed for causing distress.
“He does not look a scoundrel” stated the King,
“He looks worthy of truth and other good things
He shall not die by the rope or an assassin’s knife,
He shall die fairly defending his own valuable life.
Despite their armour there are no heroes today,
All men are cowards, like children they play,
These words this King speaks because they are true,
And you Bellerophon do I say this of you?”
“I am no hero my Lord but a coward I’m not,
I defend all that I am and all that I’ve got.”

“You would not fight the Chimera despite what you say,”
Bellerophon riding Pegasus, slays the ChimaeraSaid the King of Lycia, “for you he might slay.”
“I’ll fight him my Lord whoever he may be,
For from no man on Earth will I ever flee”
“You have promised” said Iobates “but will you be true,
When I tell you that Chimera Is not a young man like you
But a horrible monster living on a mountain of flame,
Who has killed dozens of warriors of reputable fame”.
“I shall go on the morrow and seek out his lair,
Though there may be twenty of his kind lurking in there”
King Iobates knew that the youth would be killed,
As Proetus had demanded; thus be it willed.
But the King felt great sorrow, Bellerophon was one
Of great courage and modest; He’d make a fine son.

At length Bellerophon upon the burning mountain came,
With its clouds of rosy smoke reflecting the flame,
Trees clothed its sides like servants uniformed in green,
as Bellerophon prepared his armour knowing he’d soon be seen.
Then suddenly he saw standing there on the opposite bank,
a glorious woman whom he would soon have to thank.
It was the Goddess Minerva in her helmet and with spear,
She was holding a winged horse by its fine bridle gear.
“Bellerophon, in an unequal contest, you will not perish,
The Gods lend you this horse that you must cherish.
His name is Pegasus and he will serve you well,
He will carry you to victory be it in heaven or Hell.”
Upon the winged steed he leapt then sailed through the air,
To the entrance of the cave to the Chimera’s lair.

The monster had the foreparts of a gigantic beast,
Tapering off to scaly dragon like legs and feet
With its swift pounces, terrible talons and fiery breath,
It would take but a moment to ensure Bellerophon’s death.
But the great Pegasus dodged him at every turn,
Swerving and rearing with mesmerizing concern.
After an intense struggle the horrible monster was slain,
Bellerophon had done a bold deed and cleared his good name.
He urged the great Pegasus back into the bright sky,
Flying over the Lycia rooftops hearing King Iobates cry!
“Bellerophon was innocent! Proetus told me a lie.
The Gods have aided his venture now he rides through the sky.”
He went back to the King’s palace to celebrate and play,
Leaving Pegasus tied up in the stables for the rest of the day.

Betrothed to the princess and now heir to the crown,
Bellerophon ought to have been content with his renown
But of greater achievements he dreamed, for he knew not his place,
He would fly up to heaven to see the Gods face to face.
He leapt astride Pegasus turned his head to the sky,
“Let us conquer the clouds as to heaven we fly”
But the Gods were unhappy for Pegasus had not been returned,
From his courageous adventure Bellerophon hadn’t learned
They sent out a fly that stung the horse on the back,
Causing him to violently buck, flinging the youth like a sack;
Who fell into the desert, among savages and sand,
Where he would spend the rest of his life utterly damned.
When heaven lends us wings they are for a reverent role,
Thus the poet seeks truth that he may one day be whole.