I had gone a-begging from door to door in the village path, 
when thy golden chariot appeared in the distance 
like a gorgeous dream and I wondered
who was this King of all kings!

My hopes rose high and methought 
my evil days were at an end,
and I stood waiting for alms to be given unasked
and for wealth scattered on all sides in the dust.

The chariot stopped where I stood.
Thy glance fell on me 
and thou camest down with a smile.
I felt that the luck of my life had come at last. 
Then of a sudden thou didst hold out thy right hand 
and say `What hast thou to give to me?'

Ah, what a kingly jest was it 
to open thy palm to a beggar to beg!
I was confused and stood undecided, 
and then from my wallet I slowly took out 
the least little grain of corn 
and gave it to thee.

But how great my surprise when at the day's end 
I emptied my bag on the floor to find 
a least little gram of gold among the poor heap.
I bitterly wept and wished 
that I had had the heart to give thee my all.