The tale of melon city
The following poem is taken from mapping which was published in 1981 and is included in the collected poem by Vikram seth.
The king, in this poem, is just and placid.' Does he carry his notion of justice a bit to far?
(After idries shah)
In the city of which i sing
There was a just and placid king.
The king proclaimed an arch should be
Constructed, that triumphally
Would span the major thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
The workmen went and built the thing.
They did so since he was the king.
The king rode down the thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
Under the arch he lost his crown.
The arch was built too low, A frown
Appeared upon his placid face.
The king said, this is a disgrace.
The chief of builders will be hanged.
The rope and gallows were arranged.
The chief of builders was led out.
He passed the king, He gave a shout.
'O King, it was the workmen's fault'
'oh!' said the king, and called a halt.
To the proceedings, Being just
(And placider now) he said,'I must
Have all the workmen hanged instead,'
The workmen looked surprised, and said,
'O King, you do not realise
The bricks were made of the wrong size,'
'Summon the masons! said the king,
The masons stood there quivering,
'It was the architect they said,
:The architect was summoned.
'Well, architect,' said he majesty,
'I do ordain that you shall be
Hanged,' said the architect,'O king.
You have forgotten one small thing.
You made certain amendments to
The place when i showed them to you.'
The king heard this. The king saw red
In fact he nearly lost his heard;
But being a just and placid king
He said, 'This is a tricky thing.
I need counsel. Bring to me
The wisest man in the country.'
The wisest man was found and brought,
Ney, carried, to the Royal court.
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean. 
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