Sibylline Spydra

Centuries ago,
Concurrent with the 50th Olympiad
Not long before the expulsion of Rome's kings
An old woman
"Who was not a native of the country"
Arrived incognita in Rome.
She offered nine books of prophecies to
King Tarquin
And as the king declined to purchase them
Owing to the exorbitant price she demanded,
She burned three and offered
The remaining six to Tarquin
At the same stiff price
Which he again refused
Whereupon she burned three more and
Repeated her offer.
Tarquin then relented and
Purchased the last three
At the full original price
Whereupon she
"Disappeared from among men."