Mercy, No

With the gods, the compensation,
If there’s to be any, is served

First. Zeus will grant Hector short-lived
Success in Achilles’ armor

Before dispatching him to death,
Since sometimes Zeus is nice like that.

The thing about the powerful
Is not that they judge, as all do,

But that they act out their judgements
In theaters of punishments,

Punishments they plan out ahead
And don’t imagine regretting.

If they’re feeling magnanimous,
They'll add some gesture in advance,

An amuse-bouche more for themselves
Than for the soul they’ll put through hell.