Classic Poem

May her will be broken! What she has decided on is so cruel
but yet it is fitting for a woman descended from an ancient line!
Her father, the day before yesterday in battle, brought down
an elephant and then fell dead on the field! Yesterday
her husband drove back a long rank of warriors and then
was cut down in the fight! And today she heard the sound
of the war drum and she was overwhelmed with desire! Her mind
whirling, she put a spear into the hand of her only son and she wound
a white garment around his body and smeared oil upon the dry
topknot of his hair and having nothing
but him said “Go now!” and sent him off into the battle!