I have spoke to subject peoples
Precepts I have loved ,
I have carved on rock-made pillars
Lessons I have proved .
Ministers of faith and duty
Have my mandates told, --
Spoke to near and distant nations
Maxims loved of old
And within my spacious empire,
By each highway made
Figs and mangoes I have planted
For repose and shade ;
Wells I made for man and cattle
All that breathe and move,---
But with higher toil constructed
Springs of faith and love
Scatter then my royal riches,
Spread my bounty then,
To the monk and to the toiler,
To all living men,
To the brahman and to the sraman,
To al sects of fame,
Lets each claN and corporation
Know Ashoka's name.
------ R.C. Dutt
