This is a poem recommended by Karen Regina for History Educators
to refer to or to use in their classroom. A Worker Reads History
Who built the seven gates of Thebes? The books are filled with
names of kings. Was it the kings who hauled the craggy blocks of
stone? And Babylon, so many times destroyed. Who built the city
up each time? In which of Lima's houses, That city glittering
with gold, lived those who built it? In the evening when the
Chinese wall was finished Where did the masons go? Imperial Rome
Is full of arcs of triumph. Who reared them up? Over whom Did
the Caesars triumph? Byzantium lives in song. Were all her
dwellings palaces? And even in Atlantis of the legend The night
the seas rushed in, The drowning men still bellowed for their
slaves. Young Alexander conquered India. Caesar beat the Gauls.
Was there not even a cook in his army? Phillip of Spain wept as
his fleet was sunk and destroyed. Were there no other tears?
Frederick the Greek triumphed in the Seven Years War. Who
triumphed with him?