Happening once to meet with the governor

Of one cold state, whose name, by the way,

Has not been revealed to me, I questioned,

"I beg to ask you what should be done, sir,

To carry on the appropriate government?"

The nameless governor replied, "Go away,

You are a rude company! Why do you

Put a question for which you're unprepared

Yourself? Do I seem to you as the Maker

Of all things between Heaven and Earth?"

I however asked him again: "What method

Do you have for the proper government

That could thus agitate my mind?" And

The nameless governor retorted at last,

"Allow all things to take their natural course;

Admit no personal or selfish consideration --

Do this and all the rest will be well governed

Without your deep participation in matters.

Otherwise, for the right ordering of the state,

It would be like trying to wade thru the sea

Or dig thru the North Pole to China or, using

A gnat for carrying Mt. Denali on its back."