O mother, the young Prince is to pass by our door,—how can I attend to my work this morning? 

Show me how to braid up my hair; tell me what garment to put on. 

Why do you look at me amazed, mother? 

I know well he will not glance up once at my window; I know he will pass out of my sight in the twinkling of an eye; only the vanishing strain of the flute will come sobbing to me from afar. 

But the young Prince will pass by our door, and I will put on my best for the moment.

O mother, the young Prince did pass by our door, and the morning sun flashed from his chariot. 

I swept aside the veil from my face, I tore the ruby chain from my neck and flung it in his path. 

Why do you look at me amazed, mother? 

I know well he did not pick up my chain; I know it was crushed under his wheels leaving a red stain upon the dust, and no one knows what my gift was nor to whom. 

But the young Prince did pass by our door, and I flung the jewel from my breast before his path.