Vikram Seth
The next poem is taken from Mappings which was printed in 1981 and is included within the Collected Poems by Vikram Seth.
The king, on this poem, is ‘simply and placid.’ Does he carry his notion of justice a bit too far?
(After Idries Shah)
The Story of Melon Metropolis
Within the metropolis of which I sing
There was a simply and placid King.
The King proclaimed an arch ought to be
Constructed, that triumphally
Would span the most important thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
The workmen went and constructed the factor.
They did so since he was the King.
The King rode down the thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
Underneath the arch he misplaced his crown.
The arch was constructed too low. A frown
Appeared upon his placid face.
The King mentioned, ‘This can be a shame.
The chief of builders will likely be hanged.’
The rope and gallows have been organized.
The chief of builders was led out.
He handed the King. He gave a shout,
‘O King, it was the workmen’s fault’
‘Oh!’ mentioned the King, and referred to as a halt
To the proceedings. Being simply
(And placider now) he mentioned, ‘I need to
Have all of the workmen hanged as an alternative.’
The workmen regarded stunned, and mentioned,
‘O King, you don’t realise
The bricks have been product of the improper measurement.’
‘Summon the masons!’ mentioned the King.
The masons stood there quivering.
‘It was the architect…’, they mentioned,
The architect was summoned.
‘Nicely, architect,’ mentioned His Majesty.
‘I do ordain that you just shall be
Hanged.’ Stated the architect, ‘O King,
You will have forgotten one small factor.
You made sure amendments to
The plans once I confirmed them to you.’
The King heard this. The King noticed pink.
In reality he practically misplaced his head;
However being a simply and placid King
He mentioned, ‘This can be a tough factor.
I want some counsel. Deliver to me
The wisest man on this nation.’
The wisest man was discovered and introduced,
Nay, carried, to the Royal Court docket.
He couldn’t stroll and couldn’t see,
So previous (and due to this fact smart) was he —
However in a quavering1 voice he mentioned,
‘The offender have to be punished.
Really, the arch it was that banged
The crown off, and it have to be hanged’.
To the scaffold2 the arch was led
When out of the blue a Councillor mentioned —
‘How can we hold so shamefully
What touched your head, Your Majesty?’
‘True,’ mused the King. By now the gang,
Stressed, was muttering aloud.
The King perceived their temper and trembled
And mentioned to all who have been assembled —
‘Allow us to postpone consideration
Of finer factors like guilt. The nation
Needs a dangling. Hanged have to be
Somebody, and that instantly.’
The noose was arrange considerably excessive.
Every man was measured by and by.
However just one man was so tall
He fitted. One man. That was all.
He was the King. His Majesty
Was due to this fact hanged by Royal Decree.
‘Thank Goodness we discovered somebody,’ mentioned
The Ministers, ‘for if as an alternative
We had not, the unruly city
Would possibly properly have turned in opposition to the Crown.’
‘Lengthy reside the King!’ the Ministers mentioned.
‘Lengthy reside the King! The King is useless.’
They contemplated the dilemma; then,
Being practical-minded males,
Despatched out the heralds to proclaim
(In His [former] Majesty’s identify):
‘The subsequent to cross the Metropolis Gate
Will select the ruler of our state,
As is our customized. This will likely be
Enforced with due ceremony.’
A person handed by the Metropolis Gate.
An fool. The guards cried, ‘Wait!
Who’s to be the King? Determine!’
‘A melon,’ the fool replied.
This was his customary reply to
All questions. (He preferred melons.) ‘You
At the moment are our King,’ the Ministers mentioned,
Crowning a melon. Then they led
(Carried) the Melon to the throne
And reverently set it down.
This occurred years and years in the past.
When now you ask the folks, ‘So —
Your King seems to be a melon.
How did this occur?’, they are saying, ‘Nicely, on
Account of customary alternative.
If His Majesty rejoice
In being a melon, that’s OK
With us, for who’re we to say
What he ought to be so long as he
Leaves us in Peace and Liberty?’
The rules of laissez faire
Appear to be well-established there
* * *
In regards to the Poet
Vikram Seth (b- 1952) was born in Kolkata and was educated in Doon Faculty and Stanford College. His most well-known books include- A Appropriate Boy, A Appropriate Lady, The Golden Gate and so on . He has received a number of awards similar to Padma Shri, Sahitya Akademi Award, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, WH Smith Literary Award and Crossword Guide Award.
Introduction
This narrative poem is a political satire. It satirizes the folks in energy and the response of the folks to the federal government. The melon metropolis symbolizes the folly and ignorance of the corrupted folks in energy. Vikram Seth has used humour to satirically characterize the self-importance of corrupted energy. He displays the indifference of the general public in direction of these in energy so long as their freedom is safe. The irony lies in the truth that the persons are least bothered whether or not it’s a man or a melon on the throne so long as Laisse Faire is ensured. The poet has turned the well-known story by the Afghan author Idries Shah right into a humorous satirical poem. Using the couplet type has helped within the enhancing the movement of the folklore.
Abstract
The poem begins with the declaration of the poet that he sings a couple of simply and laid-back king who ordered an arch to be arrange on the main-road of town to counterpoint town and its denizens. The workmen adopted the orders and constructed the arch. Because the king rode down the main-road to encourage his topics, his crown hit the low arch and fell down. The incident angered the king and he ordered that the chief of the builders to be hanged. Preparations have been made accordingly however on his method to the gallows he shouted that it was the fault of the workmen. The king instantly stopped the execution and ordered the workmen to be hanged. The determined workmen mentioned that it was the fault of the brickmakers who made the bricks of improper measurement. The masons have been referred to as who trembled as they blamed the architect for the error. The architect was referred to as for. The architect reminded the king that it was he who made some changes within the plans when it was proven to him. Now, the king perceiving the hazard forward determined that he wants some recommendation from somebody with extra knowledge. Due to this fact, an previous man who may hardly communicate was dropped at the king to advise him. The previous smart man mentioned that because it was the arch who was accountable for throwing down the crown, the arch itself ought to be hanged. The proposal was about to be carried out when a councilor mentioned {that a} factor that one thing that touched the royal head of the king couldn’t be hanged. The spineless king agreed to it however by then perceived that the topics have been changing into stressed. To pacify them he mentioned that it didn’t really matter who was responsible, what was vital was to hold somebody with speedy impact. So, a noose was set a bit excessive on the scaffold and whosoever was tall sufficient to suit the noose was purported to be hanged. It so occurred that solely the king was tall sufficient for the noose so he was executed in accordance with the royal orders. The ministers have been relieved that they discovered somebody was executed in any other case the general public might need revolted in opposition to the king. They cried lengthy reside the king who was useless. Then they despatched out royal orders within the identify of the previous king that the subsequent one that will cross by way of town gate will select the king. It so occurred that an fool handed the gate. When he was requested who could be the subsequent king he answered – melon. It was his reply to each query that was requested to him as he beloved melons. Due to this fact, a melon was topped the king and town got here to be referred to as the melon metropolis.
Rationalization
Within the metropolis of which I sing
There was a simply and placid King.
The King proclaimed an arch ought to be
Constructed, that triumphally
Would span the most important thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
Rationalization
The poet tells the readers that the story is a couple of simply and delicate king who ordered an arch to be constructed that will victoriously cowl the doorway of the primary street of town, and would encourage the onlookers.
The workmen went and constructed the factor.
They did so since he was the King.
The King rode down the thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
Underneath the arch he misplaced his crown.
The arch was constructed too low. A frown
Appeared upon his placid face.
The King mentioned, ‘This can be a shame.
The chief of builders will likely be hanged.’
The rope and gallows have been organized.
Rationalization
In accordance with the king’s orders the builders made an arch-way as he was their king. To mark its inauguration the king rode by way of the primary street; nevertheless, as he went by way of the arch his crown was knocked over as a result of low peak of the arch. It was an totally humiliating expertise for the king who displayed his true colors as he grew to become enraged and ordered the chief- builder to be hanged. The gallows and ropes have been readied for the execution.
The chief of builders was led out.
He handed the King. He gave a shout,
‘O King, it was the workmen’s fault’
‘Oh!’ mentioned the King, and referred to as a halt
To the proceedings. Being simply
(And placider now) he mentioned, ‘I need to
Have all of the workmen hanged as an alternative.’
The workmen regarded stunned, and mentioned,
‘O King, you don’t realise
The bricks have been product of the improper measurement.’
When the Chief of the builders was being taken for being executed, he noticed the king and yelled out that it was the fault of the workmen. The simply king instantly stopped the execution and mentioned that the workmen ought to be hanged for his or her fault. The workmen have been astonished by the judgement and informed the king that he ought to perceive that it was as a result of defective bricks which have been of the improper measurement.
‘Summon the masons!’ mentioned the King.
The masons stood there quivering.
‘It was the architect…’, they mentioned,
The architect was summoned.
‘Nicely, architect,’ mentioned His Majesty.
‘I do ordain that you just shall be
Hanged.’ Stated the architect, ‘O King,
You will have forgotten one small factor.
You made sure amendments to
The plans once I confirmed them to you.’
Rationalization
The masons the place referred to as and so they trembled earlier than the king. They put the blame on the architect who deliberate the arch. When the architect appeared, the king informed him that he could be hanged as per his order. The architect then reminded him of a small change that the king had made within the plan, hinting that it was his interference that resulted within the defective arch that toppled his crown.
The King heard this. The King noticed pink.
In reality he practically misplaced his head;
However being a simply and placid King
He mentioned, ‘This can be a tough factor.
I want some counsel. Deliver to me
The wisest man on this nation.’
The wisest man was discovered and introduced,
Nay, carried, to the Royal Court docket.
Rationalization
When the architect identified that the King had made adjustments within the plan which resulted within the defective arch, the king perceived hazard. He tried to shake off his duty on giving a judgement, citing that it was a posh challenge that wanted the recommendation of the wisest man. So, the wisest previous man was carried to the royal court docket to advise the king.
He couldn’t stroll and couldn’t see,
So previous (and due to this fact smart) was he —
However in a quavering1 voice he mentioned,
‘The offender have to be punished.
Really, the arch it was that banged
The crown off, and it have to be hanged’.
Rationalization
The wisest man was smart due to his previous age. He was extraordinarily previous and was unable to stroll and had misplaced his eyesight. He gave his recommendation stating that it was essential to punish the offender who was accountable for toppling off the king’s crown. Because it was the arch who did so, it was the arch which wanted to be hanged.
To the scaffold2 the arch was led
When out of the blue a Councillor mentioned —
‘How can we hold so shamefully
What touched your head, Your Majesty?’
‘True,’ mused the King. By now the gang,
Stressed, was muttering aloud.
Rationalization
In line with the previous man’s recommendation the arch was taken to the raised platform for being hanged, when a councillor mentioned that it might not be shameful to hold the arch which had touched the noble head of the king. The king as ordinary didn’t have any opinion of his personal and agreed that what the councillor was right. Nonetheless, the gang which had gathered for the hanging was changing into agitated on the delay of execution and began to speak loudly.
The King perceived their temper and trembled
And mentioned to all who have been assembled —
‘Allow us to postpone consideration
Of finer factors like guilt. The nation
Needs a dangling. Hanged have to be
Somebody, and that instantly.’
Rationalization
The cowardly folks pleasing king felt the unrest among the many crowd and have become afraid. To pacify the topics, he introduced that he would overlook the finer factors like, whether or not the individual was actually responsible or not. What was vital was that somebody ought to be hanged instantly as the gang had gathered to witness the hanging.
The noose was arrange considerably excessive.
Every man was measured by and by.
However just one man was so tall
He fitted. One man. That was all.
He was the King. His Majesty
Was due to this fact hanged by Royal Decree.
Rationalization
The noose for hanging was hung considerably excessive and the one one that was an ideal match for the noose was the tall king himself. So, the king was satirically executed due to his personal stupidity, by his personal royal orders.
‘Thank Goodness we discovered somebody,’ mentioned
The Ministers, ‘for if as an alternative
We had not, the unruly city
Would possibly properly have turned in opposition to the Crown.’
‘Lengthy reside the King!’ the Ministers mentioned.
‘Lengthy reside the King! The King is useless.’
Rationalization
The ministers have been enormously relieved that they’d discovered somebody and the execution had been carried out. They feared that if the hanging had not been carried out, the topics might need revolted in opposition to the king. They prayed for the lengthy lifetime of the useless king.
They contemplated the dilemma; then,
Being practical-minded males,
Despatched out the heralds to proclaim
(In His [former] Majesty’s identify):
‘The subsequent to cross the Metropolis Gate
Will select the ruler of our state,
As is our customized. This will likely be
Enforced with due ceremony.’
Rationalization
The subsequent problem for the ministers was to search out the subsequent king. They have been initially perplexed, however as they’d a variety of frequent sense, they despatched out an announcement that as per the customs of town the primary individual to cross town gate would determine the subsequent king. His resolution could be lawfully carried out.
A person handed by the Metropolis Gate.
An fool. The guards cried, ‘Wait!
Who’s to be the King? Determine!’
‘A melon,’ the fool replied.
This was his customary reply to
All questions. (He preferred melons.) ‘You
At the moment are our King,’ the Ministers mentioned,
Crowning a melon. Then they led
(Carried) the Melon to the throne
And reverently set it down.
Rationalization
The primary man to cross the gate was an fool or an individual with very low IQ. When the guard stopped him and requested him whom he want to elect as the subsequent ruler, the fool answered – a melon. He mentioned so as a result of he was enormously keen on consuming melons and at any time when anybody requested him any query, he would give the reply – a melon. Due to this fact, the ministers adopted the norms and topped a melon because the king with all due respect.
This occurred years and years in the past.
When now you ask the folks, ‘So —
Your King seems to be a melon.
How did this occur?’, they are saying, ‘Nicely, on
Account of customary alternative.
If His Majesty rejoice
In being a melon, that’s OK
With us, for who’re we to say
What he ought to be so long as he
Leaves us in Peace and Liberty?’
The rules of laissez faire
Appear to be well-established there
Rationalization
The coronation of the melon occurred a very long time in the past and if the denizens are requested how did a melon turn into their king, they’d reply that it was accomplished in keeping with the customs of the land. It was the king’s resolution on which type he needed to rule over them. They’re joyful to be dominated by anybody so long as their freedom and peace was ensured. Because the king was a melon the foundations of Laissez Faire (or letting issues be as they’re) was properly established within the Melon metropolis.
Phrase Meanings
Placid – laid again
Proclaimed – introduced
Arch – a semi curved architectural construction
Triumphantly – victoriously
Thoroughfare – principal street
Edify – (right here) enrich
Gallows – a construction on which persons are hanged
Summon – order somebody to be current
Masons – individuals who lay bricks/stones for making buildings
Quivering – trembling
Architect – one that design buildings
Ordain – give an official order
Amendments – corrections
Noticed pink – perceived hazard
Counsel – recommendation
Quavering – (right here)in a shaking voice
Scaffold – a raised platform for executing criminals
Mused – mirrored or thought silently
Noose – a knotted rope with loop used for hanging folks or for tying animals
Decree – an official order
Heralds – an official who proclaims state messages
Reverently – respectfully
Customary – in keeping with social practices
Laissez faire – letting issues to observe its personal course