Toddysseus did stay by Princess� side

While Obadius, faithful Melinaus,

Young Briam and Jeaneas went to find

The antidote. Northeast of ruined Hoy

Did stand a city of canals and boats:

Venezia, where the cure could be found.

But our intrepid band did first consult

The Oracle at Delgros, whose advice

Was noted for its sane and sober sense.

The wise Delgrossic Oracle did warn,

Of evil portents in the stormy skies:

A single bird swooped down once, twice, then thrice

And suddenly a lightning bolt came down

And struck the bird. The oracle proclaimed

That inauspicious omens marred the trip.

Our heroes cancelled all their plans to go,

And just in time! That day, the earth did shake

And rumble with the wrath of angry gods

And old Venezia sank into the sea,

And took with it four thousand rueful souls

Who really should have known better than to

Live in a sinking city.

The Patreidae ventured toward the south,

First stop: San Gimignano, towered town,

That made our tired wanderers long for home,

And miss the busy streets of Nova Iork.

And next, Siena, and ambrosial sweets

That did delay their journey for some time

While our beleaguered heroes took a break

For frozen milk of sacred cows. How pure

The creamy goodness of gelato is!

Like snow from Mount Olympus� hallowed peak

Gelato, sacred food for sacred beings,

But I digress. Now back to our account.