83ページ中46ページ

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.

51.