His Imperial Holiness
That would-be king Ashoka, he was bad.
Before Ashoka turned to mildest love
And Buddha kindness, Brutal Boy had
To do some grabbing. Kingship was above
Him since his eldest brother had the right
To take the throne. As luck would have it, though,
That brother was away the awful night
Their father threw up blood and died. And so
When oldest brother did return, a pit
Was dug especially for him, then filled
With coals. It happened he fell into it.
Can we assume Ashoka’s heart was thrilled
To learn big brother had been roasted? Coarse?
(He had a glorious reign to do remorse.)