Edit2 - Of the Laws

[dukealien]

Of the Laws (A Missing Analect)


“Master,” asked his thoughtful student,
“why is Silver Ocean higher
at some places than at others?
Here it overtops a sea-wall,
but, a few li back, its churning
stopped six bu below.  Can it be
that sea-level is not truly
just the same at every place?

“Is our world askew, oh Master,
under Ninefold Heaven, tilting
west, or north, or to the South?”

“Fool!” his master said, but sagely,
“What makes you believe a wall men
built is level as an ocean?
Some who build, skimp, stopping lower
than they’re bidden, and yet others
build too high because they pocket
money for each stone they lay.

“If all men would do exactly
as the Son of Heaven orders
in his wisdom, Middle Kingdom
would not suffer flood or famine.”
But, so saying, Master winked.

edit1;

“Master,” asked his thoughtful student,
“why is Silver Ocean higher
at some places than at others?
Here it overtops a sea-wall,
but, a few li back, its churning
stopped six bu below.  Can it be
that sea-level is not truly
just the same at every place?

“Has this world a slant, oh Master,
just as Ninefold Heaven angles
over all its lands and seas?”

“Fool!” his master said, but sagely,
“What makes you believe a wall men
built is level as an ocean?
Some who build, skimp, stopping lower
than they’re bidden, and yet others
build too high because they pocket
money for each stone they lay.

“If all men would do exactly
as the Son of Heaven orders
in his wisdom, Middle Kingdom
would not suffer flood or famine.”
But, so saying, Master winked.

original version;

“Master,” asked his eager student,
“why is Ocean’s level higher
at some places than at others?
Here it overtops a sea-wall,
but, a few leagues back, its water
stopped six fathoms down.  Can it be
that sea-level is not truly
just the same at every place?

“Has this world a curve, oh Master,
just as Ninefold Heaven arches
over all its lands and seas?”

“Fool!” his master said, but kindly,
“what makes you believe a wall men
built is level as an ocean?
Some who build, skimp, stopping lower
than they promised, and yet others
build too high because they pocket
money for each stone they lay.

“If all men would do exactly
as the Son of Heaven orders
in his wisdom, Middle Kingdom
would not suffer flood or famine.”
But, so saying, Master winked.