Constantine P. Cavafy Quote

Why have our two consuls and praetors come out today
wearing their embroidered, their scarlet togas?
Why have they put on bracelets with so many amethysts,
rings sparkling with magnificent emeralds?
Why are they carrying elegant canes
beautifully worked in silver and gold? Because the barbarians are coming today
and things like that dazzle the barbarians.

l. 16 - Waiting for the Barbarians (1904)