Chapter 78: Military Spirit

771.
Ye foes! stand not before my lord! for many a one
Who did my lord withstand, now stands in stone!

772.
Who aims at elephant, though dart should fail, has greater praise
Than he who woodland hare with winged arrow slays.

773.
Fierceness in hour of strife heroic greatness shows;
Its edge is kindness to our suffering foes.

774.
At elephant he hurls the dart in hand; for weapon pressed,
He laughs and plucks the javelin from his wounded breast.

775.
To hero fearless must it not defeat appear,
If he but wink his eye when foeman hurls his spear.

776.
The heroes, counting up their days, set down as vain
Each day when they no glorious wound sustain.

777.
Who seek for world- wide fame, regardless of their life,
The glorious clasp adorns, sign of heroic strife.

778.
Fearless they rush where'er ' the tide of battle rolls ';
The king's reproof damps not the ardour of their eager souls.

779.
Who says they err, and visits them with scorn,
Who die and faithful guard the vow they 've sworn?

780.
If monarch's eyes o'erflow with tears for hero slain,
Who would not beg such boon of glorious death to gain?