One day, having gone into the next town,

I passed the night in a lodging-house,

The master of which had two chambermaids--

One very cute, the other ineffably ugly.

The ugly one was honoured, however,

And the beauty was held in contempt.

When inquired about the reason of this,

A bellboy of the house replied me this way,

'The beauty knows her beauty and therefore

We do not recognize it. The ugly girl knows

Her ugliness, and we do not recognize it either.'

Then I came with this to my preceptor who

Explained me the bellboy's answer, saying,

'Act virtuously and put away the practice

Of priding yourself on your attainments.

If you do this, where can you go to that,

Tell me, you will not be loved, my friend?'