สำนักงานราชบัณทิตยสภา

121  The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume IV - 2012 keep a copy but someone told me that when he fi nished reading it, the King continued to take medicine and recovered from his illness soon after.” (Prince Damrong, 1944: 43). Before quoting Prince Damrong’s poem for King Chulalongkorn, it is necessary to quote the King’s Chand to Prince Damrong, so that one may see Prince Damrong’s genius in composing his answer. King Rama V’s Chand to Prince Damrong “Sorely ill for such a long time, I have no wish to seek recovery. My mind is no longer at ease, My head troubling, my heart broken. Were I to recover, I would have a heavy heart, Thinking of all the troubles that weigh upon me. I fear to resemble the king who failed to defend Ayutthaya, Losing the land and forever earning blame. Seeking the solution, I can fi nd none. Ashamed to face all men, I wish to die and disappear.” (Prince Damrong, 1944: 46) Prince Damrong’s poem: “It is usual for an ocean to be Sometimes calm, when the storm abates. When the tempest causes high waves, But yet, the ship is strong enough, She will survive unscathed. If Fate wills it so, every ship will sink. Mariners know this in their heart. While the ship still fl oats, they join forces to steer. If they get through, they will be safe and glad. If they misguide the ship, she is doomed to sink. If they do nothing, make no effort to strive, They fi nally lose the ship like those who try but fail. The difference lies between trying hard though sinking, Panya Borisutdhi