The Gay Icon Classics of the World by Robert Joseph Greene Page A

help his father in exchange for friendship. Ibsen obeyed, and all were happy.
    Falleron and Ibsen shared everything together. They watched the procession of Roman army men pass their village on the way to battle. Falleron and Ibsen snuck under the army tent, hid behind boxes, and watched the splendor of their ceremonies. Theystayed for hours because Falleron insisted; he was enraptured by it all. Perhaps, they stayed a little longer than they should have, because as the night wore on the liquor flowed heavily and an orgy began to take hold on the hedonistic foreigners. Ibsen and Falleron weren’t naïve to such playful enjoyments, but to see it on such a massive scale was impressive.
    â€œFalleron what are you doing?” said Ibsen as he watched him emerge from the shadows into the lascivious crowd. Falleron strolled among the intertwined bodies until a plump, balding, naked man took him by the hand and led him into the orgy. Falleron was stripped of his clothing and devoured by all who were around him. Ibsen watched in horror. It was well into dawn when Falleron emerged to a patiently waiting Ibsen. Falleron was never the same again. The taste of noble pleasures was now the desire that ate at Falleron.
    For months afterwards, Falleron treated Ibsen poorly. He was even demeaning to the poor, loyal, dumb Ibsen. He teased Isben about his stutter and would often ask questions that would confuse him. It hurt Ibsen, but still he stayed loyal. To Ibsen, Falleron was pure beauty and intelligance, he was everything Ibsen wasn’t. Although Ibsen quickly developed during puberty into his own manly beauty, this was often overshadowed by his lack of intelligence. Ibsen went to Falleron to solve every complexity that crossed his path, even though to anyone else the solutions would have been simple. Falleron grew tired of this responsibility and would yell at Ibsen for being so stupid.

    By 16 years of age, Ibsen had developed into a striking, chiseled Adonis. He was the tallest and strongest man in the village. Falleron's beauty, although striking, paled in comparison to Ibsen’s.
    Greek village life grew tiring for Falleron. He wanted to shake such notions of himself as a simple Greek farmer’s son and quickly applied himself to lessons which would get him accepted for study in Rome. Coming from a poor family, Falleron knew he would need to be creative in finding the funds needed. The opportunity fell into his path with the next visit of Roman nobles. Falleron knew that moment in the tent would be repeated again by the pedophilic nobles wanting to taste innocent youth. However, this time his entry was blocked by a guard. “Peasant boy, stay away,” flashed the guard with his sword. “I've only come with a message to your lord,” said Falleron, angered by the guard's denial. Falleron knew he had to get someone from inside the tent to hear him so to overrule the guard. “ Tell him that I can bring him a man of great endowment and physique,” Falleron shouted hoping to be overheard by a courtier inside. It was heard by the right set of ears, but from behind him the town mayor know an opportunity when he saw it. “Ah yes, Falleron, you come with pleasure for our guests?” said the local mayor. Falleron knew the mayor was a greedy thief that would take any opportunity away from him, but Falleron was desperate. “Yes,” said Falleron, “Ibsen has many wonders which I think would delight this crowd.””

    â€œThen I shall wait here while you bring him to me, and we shall all go in as my guest. But remember, Falleron, you are a member of my party and shall follow my lead.” Falleron rushed back and found Ibsen in the field, working as Falleron should have been. “Come and make haste,” Falleron shouted. He was already annoyed with Ibsen and did not know why. Ibsen said a pleasant hello and obediently dropped what he was doing, can followed his companion. When