Long I sat and waited, before the angel’s voice thundered in my head, “Come and see”, as he lifted the first veil. I went and beheld a white horse, upon which sat a rider with a heavy crown, cloaked in purple garb, threaded with gold and silver. And the rider raised a spear with which he stabbed at the heart of the Earth, spewing forth rivers of blood and tears. His name was Julius Caesar, and his name was Alexander, and his name was William and Richard and Napoleon. And he was given the power and right to conquer and to rule, and Conquest was his title.

And the angel lifted the second veil, and he said “Come and see”. I went and beheld a red horse, upon which sat a rider with a grin on his unearthly face. And he held in his hands the lust and desire and violence with which he tortured the Earth. And the rider licked his lips and laughed upon visions of pain and pleasure unending. And he was given the power and right to spread suffering upon the Earth, and Strife was his title.

And the angel lifted the third seal, and he said “Come and see”. I went and beheld a black horse, upon which sat a rider with rubies etched onto his eyes. And he held in his hands two weighing scales, and he said “A pound for a slice of bread, a dollar for a cup of water, but spare me the oil and the wine”. And the rider partook in wealth and opulence, behind which he hid his ignorance and his blindness. And he was given the power and right to feast upon the treasures of the Earth, and Elite was his title.

And the angel lifted the fourth seal, and he said “Come and see”. I went and beheld a pale horse, upon which sat a rider with steel and fire in his eyes. And he held in his hands an hourglass, with which he measured the beginning and the end of Life. And the rider gestured to the ground, which split open with his will. And he was given the power and right to kill with famine, and with pestilence, and with blade, and with gun, and with nuclear fire, and Death was his title

And the angel shuddered as he lifted the fifth seal, and he begged “Come and see”. I went and beheld a figure blasphemous, with skin that shone like ivory, and ebony, and bronze. Its eyes were filled with cold flames. Its mouth spewed forth sacred profanities, and foolish wisdom. Its hands held four chains and four reins, with which to control the four horses and their riders. Its feet were planted firmly on the ground, yet tethered close to an inescapable abyss. And it was given the power and right to create and destroy and command the Horsemen as it saw fit, and Man was its name.