The King's Left Eye

Once an old man was bravely selling
An ox in greatest youth and health;
He stood on the market just loudly yelling:
"I need no money and no wealth,

If someone wants this ox to buy,
He should not wait, or delay,
Cause I need the king's left eye,
That's all he has to pay".

This news spread out into chain
And soon it reached the monarch's ear.
He thought the peasant was insane,
Because he showed no fear.

Out of rage the king asked why
For this cattle as a price
The peasant wants to have his eye
The peasant said without disguise,

He had a daughter - real beauty:
She wished king's left eye to obtain,
Because of love he made his duty
And did all that without complaint.

The girl was brought to pay her dare
And she was asked to say her plight:
She said she wanted just to share,
His left eye had an awful sight.

"Because when people claim a theft,
And lead jouristic fights
You leave the poorer on the left
And defend the richers' rights."

The king decided to put on test
The girl with sharpest mind:
He realised all her protest,
But still held thoughts behind.

"Tell me, girl, can you guess
How much is worth my wealth?"
"My answer is surely: yes,
If you don't hurt my health

For seven days you should do
Only what I say
I promise you will learn the truth
Without any delay."

"I agree, but if you're wrong
I'll cut off your head."
The girl did not wait too long
"It costs a hen" she said.

She locked the king and gave no meal,
Cause he gave his promise then:
He obayed to their deal
And finally she brought a hen.

"What would you give for roasted hen?"
He answered "All my treasure"
"You see, your wealth costs now and then
A hen, as you could measure."

If you are standing in distress
It is a fact you can't deny:
It's true: all riches, you possess,
Are worth as much as you could buy.