Fortress (By Thiruvalluvar In Tamil) Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

741. Essential is the fortress to those who are offensive
And to avoid woes, those prefer to be defensive.
742. A fortress has the fountain of water, vast land and hill
And surrounding forests with cool shade to fill.
743. A fortress is high, wide, strong and, secure to danger lurks
As formulated by learned works.
744. A fortress which needs least defence though it has vast land
Will weaken the verve of foes to strand.
745. An invincible fortress with enormous stock of food
Ensures the inmates a stable life so good.
746. A fortress is strong that with things of all kinds amply stored
And great warriors to defend at times, it should afford.
747. A strong fortress unrelents to assaults or hurling darts
And to the siege of undermining hearts.
748. A strong fortress nerves the inmates the besiegers to resist
And stand firm and make the foes to desist.
749. A fortress is the one where the inmates should slay the foes
Win laurels with warring skills by ignoring the woes.
750. A mighty fortress it may be!
No use, if the people in are dull and lazy.