Truth-loving Persians do not dwell upon <br />The trivial skirmish fought near Marathon. <br />As for the Greek theatrical tradition <br />Which represents that summer's expedition <br />Not as a mere reconnaisance in force <br />By three brigades of foot and one of horse <br />(Their left flank covered by some obsolete <br />Light craft detached from the main Persian fleet) <br />But as a grandiose, ill-starred attempt <br />To conquer Greece - they treat it with contempt; <br />And only incidentally refute <br />Major Greek claims, by stressing what repute <br />The Persian monarch and the Persian nation <br />Won by this salutary demonstration: <br />Despite a strong defence and adverse weather <br />All arms combined magnificently together.<br /><br />Robert Graves<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-persian-version/
