Both warriors fought with skill, dedication, slowly gauging the other
In circles they walked, staring into the eyes of the one being fought
No one could suggest they'd do better, no one wanted to fight another
With a split second of changing roles, one leapt forward to cut a throat
The crowd screamed in approval, the veteran of many duels had won
As gladiators served at an emperor's pleasure, the blood led to choking
Soon enough the blood loss was enough to drop the wounded to a knee
The crowd was unlikely to complain, both gladiators knew upon entry
The full cost was paid in the end, dying, by the whim of the the thumb
And still, no one sorrowed a death, but for the one in shock and horror
A wife of one gladiator could barely watch but now the story was over
