Classic Poem

Purananuru 46

You come from the line of a Cola king
who gave his flesh
for a pigeon in danger,
and for others besides,

and these children also come
from a line of kings
who in their cool shade
share all they have

lest poets,
those tillers of nothing
but wisdom,
should suffer hardships.

Look at these children,
the crowns of their heads are still soft.

As they watch the elephants,
they even forget to cry,

stare dumbstruck at the crowd
in some new terror
of things unknown.

Now that you've heard me out,
do what you will.