Page:The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago.djvu/91

Rh furrowed hard soil, our teeth became blunt and food and wine were no more welcome. Then, one day, said I gently, Oh ! King who levieth tribute from all thy enemies, give me leave to go back to my native village. Looking at me as if he was displeased, he said, “art thou then departing from us so soon.” He then presented to me elephants male and female, and their calves shambling in gait, and I received what I thought proper, and departed bidding farewell to poverty for ever.

“The generous donor was the son of Urava-pahrêr-Ilayôn who wields the ever victorious spear, terrible in his anger, like Muruga, the God of war; who was born entitled to Kingship even from his mother’s womb, who has compelled his enemies to serve him, and has spread distress in the countries of those Kings who did not seek his friendship—as the sun rising from the ocean increases in brightness and splendour, so from his youth, ever growing in strength and valour, he now, mighty as Yama, the God of death, bears on his shoulders the weight of a matchless empire. Like a young lion which in its first chase kills a mighty elephant, so in the first battle on the field of Vennil, he smote the Pandya and Chera Kings. He is the great King called Karikâl Valavan who wars the bright garland of atti flowers.

“If approaching the great King thou worship his feet, he would look on thee tenderly as a cow watching its new born calf. Before be listens to thy song, he will clothe thee with silk, and give thee to drink of wine in cups of gold. He will feast thee all the days of thy stay, and when thou departest he will tie golden lotus flowers on the knot of hair on thy head, and to thy wife he will present necklaces of gold and pearl. He will give thee a chariot whose top is made of ivory, drawn by four milk-white steeds with flowing manes coloured red; and many elephants and well watered villages he will give thee. If thou handest over to thy followers the presents thou hast received, and hasteneth thy departure, he will, reflecting that nothing in this world lasteth long, unwillingly part with thee, and graciously go forward seven paces with thee, and ask thee to mount thy chariot and then bid thee farewell.

“Such is the king who has long reigned over the Chola Kingdom: who even when young, dispensed justice to the satisfaction of the old: whose long and blameless reign lull of love and