The Ministry Of A King [from 'proverbs 400' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

258. The fame of the cold floods swelling and flowing
down the hills gives the measure of rainfall.
The King's court tells his learning and fluency
but his anger slays all his foes.

259. O, wench with th' coral-veined mouth, smiles and sweet tongue!
A drawing reflects the mind of the artist.
The ministers bear with the cruel acts
of the king with a just scepter and anger.

260. O, chief of the hills where the stag calls the doe!
If the King's court has no eyes like ministers
he takes his decisions ‘lone when danger strikes.
It likens the lute's single string is cut.

261. As a bull keeps embrace of another bull
the king should search out the wise ministers
and lure them by his speech as they judge
good and bad wisely from what others state.

262. Being restrained of mind, mouth, body, and acts
The ministers think of the welfare of all.
If these brave advisers guard not the world
All the living things will be destroyed.

263. The words of the wise, senior ministers
can do rare acts. They rein back the king
when he is prone to err; give stern advice
which offers pain first but pleases later.

264. When the wreath worn king starts to do vile acts
the ministers redeem him by tricks and lies,
as a mother feeds her child saying myths
of the moon; ‘tis hard to treat the sycophants.

265. No haven the deer finds when the tiger leaps.
No bale of hay remains firm in whirling winds.
One from a king's ire can't escape. The kings win
by sins yet th' ministers think no harm to him.