Classic Poem

How they sicken me when they trumpet, “Those who claim that his land
is a power are laughable. He is too young!” and when they add,
“We have fine tall elephants with enormous legs and imposing feet
who wear tinkling bells that hang down either flank and we have chariots
and we have horses and we have warriors well skilled in the handling
of their weapons!” And so they show no fear of my immense strength
but swollen full of the fury of their enmity to me in their rage
they speak their tiny speeches! If I do not come upon them all gathered
together and drive them to destruction on the stern field of battle
and obliterate their drums, then may those who live under the protection
of my shadow no longer see any shade to which they may turn!
Let them weep and cry out about the cruelty of their king and let
those subject to me rain insults upon my rod of office! And the poets
praised for their great skill, Mankuti Marutan with his vast and lofty
range of learning as well as all the others as firmly established
as the earth, let them leave my land and sing no more about it! And may
I suffer the loss of my wealth and be unable to help
men who come to me begging, so that those dependent on me are pierced with pain!