Nature Of The Kings [from 'proverbs 400' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

251. O, chief of the Punnai trees- abound coast
engulfed by the roaring sea! The plants around
a tree in the shade don't grow up as trees.
Where the king's commands hold sway, none rears his head.

252. O, wench with broad shoulders wearing a grand wreath!
Water swilled is drunk or gargled out.
A king makes his subjects strong or mars them.
What is there to ponder about and know?

253. O, soft-shouldered belle envied by the bamboos
on the hills! If the king treats and moves on par
with men who long for the kingship, it likens
a man staying with the snakes.

254 O, smiling belle with teeth like Jasmine-buds!
When Death seizes the one dying, doesn't look at
His Book of death if one demurs. What to do,
When cruel kings swoop and enslave their subjects?

255. If the king gives supremacy, which the huge
wealth brings, to an unrestrained man without
decorum, it is akin to giving
a blazing wood to the hands of a monkey.

256. The unreined kings who long to rule o'er the world
annoy not at evil-doers soon. As one-grows
a fruit-tree in his garden, the kings keep
the vile at their feet with words of kudos.

257. Veedanan, the younger of the Lanka[Ceylon] king,
Ravanan, sided with Raman wearing
a wreath of gold and got the kingdom back.
None goes giftless by relying on the great.