“There was an elderly man, a very good, kind-hearted, wise person, who was gentle and gay with every one, and much beloved by his servants, because they always found him _buono ed allegro_—pleasant and jolly. And often when with them while they were at their work, he would say, ‘_Felice voi poveri_!’—‘Oh, how lucky you are to be poor!’ And they would reply to him, singing in the old Tuscan fashion, because they knew it pleased him: “‘O caro Signor, you have gold in store, With all to divert yourself; Your bees make honey, you’ve plenty of money, And victuals upon the shelf: A palace you have, and rich attire, And everything to your heart’s desire.’ “Then he would reply merrily: “‘My dear good folk, because you are poor You are my friends, and all the more, For the poor are polite to all they see, And therefore blessed be Poverty!’ “Then a second servant sang: “‘Oh bello gentile mio Signor’, Your praise of poverty ’d soon be o’er If you yourself for a time were poor; For nothing to eat, and water to drink, Isn’t so nice as you seem to think, And a lord who lives in luxury Don’t know the pressure of poverty.’ “Then all would laugh, and the jolly old lord would sing in his turn: “‘O charo servitor’, Tu parli tanto bene, Ma il tuo parlar A me non mi conviene.’ . . . “‘My boy, you answer well, But with false implication; For what to me you tell Has no true application; How oft I heard you say (You know ’tis true, you sinner!) “I am half-starved to-day, How I’ll enjoy my dinner!” Your hunger gives you health And causes great delight, While I with all my wealth Have not an appetite.’ “Then another servant sang, laughing: “‘Dear master, proverbs say, I have heard them from my birth, That of all frightful beasts Which walk upon the earth, Until we reach the bier, Wherever man may be, There’s nothing which we fear So much as poverty.’ “And so one evening as they were merrily improvising and throwing _stornelli_ at one another in this fashion, the Signore went to his street-door, and there beheld three ladies of stately form; for though they were veiled and dressed in the plainest black long robes, it was evident that they were of high rank. Therefore the old lord saluted them courteously, and seeing that they were strangers, asked them whither they were going. But he had first of all had them politely escorted by his servants into his best reception-room. {3a} “And the one who appeared to be the chief replied: “‘Truly we know not where we shall lodge, for in all Florence there is, I trow, not a soul who, knowing who we are would receive us.’ “‘And who art thou, lady?’ asked the Signore. And she replied: