PATRONS OF THIEFTAKERS

Protasius and Gervasius came to see Bishop Ambrose

In a dream, interrupting one in which the Bishop

Had been teaching some bears to sing counterpoint.

They entered with a flourish of horns and choirs 

Of seraphim. The bears refused to leave the dream

And sat towards the edges of it, growling 

But quietly. Even bears know better

Than to challenge martyrs and seraphim.

Protasius spoke for both, saying that he and Gervasius, 

His twin, were martyrs who died when Nero

Was Emperor. (“No,” said Gervasius; “it was Diocletian.”

Ambrose suggested a compromise; perhaps Marcus Aurelius?)

"Anyway," Protasius went on, "we're dead and buried

In your cathedral without markers. Felix, though,

And Nabus, have railings around them and an inscription

People stand on us to speak with them. Perhaps

You might want to do something about this 

Remembering that we, though patrons of haymakers 

And thieftakers, include swords and clubs

Among our attributes." In Milan now

The brothers have a large, slightly gaudy shrine;

In one corner someone has carved several small bears

Who seem to be singing in counterpoint.