Troubled times are here
Pagan Min is King,
he's a tyrant and insane,
and capable of anything.

He fears losing his crown,
so he's killing all his kin.
Assassin's are his only friends
and they murder for him.

In red velvet sacks,
the royal family were tied
for elephants to trample them
until no one cried.

This cardinal sin against Buddha
did his insanity no good.
So the assassins were executed
for spilling their blood.

He was haunted by the dead,
who at night arose,
which worsened his insanity
so he was deposed.

His brother Mindon who fled Burma
lived across the border in Siam,
as a guest of King Nang Klao,
and later Mongkut, a religious man.

Mongkut of Siam and Mindon of Burma,
Kings and good friends they became.
Mindon brought wealth and prosperity to Burma,
but hindered Britain throughout his reign.

However, the fortunes of this country
were seized by the next tyrant king.
Prince Theebaw's seizure of the thrown
led to more velvet sacks and killing.

He and his wife's greed for territory and slaves
caused the British to declare war.
Many soldiers were killed by jungle fever,
however, the deposed king ruled no more.

tex t sarnie

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/red-velvet-sacks-and-elephants/