Gitanjali-50
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
They 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 grain of gold
among the poor heap. I bitterly wept
and wished that I had had the heart
to dive thee my all.