“‘Io mi chiamo, e sono, La Poverta in persona, E queste due donzelle, Sono le mie sorelle, Chi voi non conoscete La Fame e la Sete!’ “‘I am one whom all throw curse on. I am Poverty in person; Of these ladies here, the younger Is my sister, known as Hunger, And the third, who’s not the worst, Is dreaded still by all as Thirst.’ “‘Blessed be the hour in which ye entered my house!’ cried the Signore, delighted. ‘Make yourselves at home, rest and be at ease as long as you like—_sempre sarei benglieto_.’ “‘And why are you so well disposed towards me?’ inquired Poverty. “‘Because, lady, I am, I trust, sufficiently wise with years and experience to know that everything must not be judged from the surface. Great and good art thou, since but for thee the devil a beggar in the world would ever move a finger to do the least work, and we should all be in mouldy green misery. Well hath it been said that ‘Need makes the old woman trot,’ {3b} and likewise that _Poverta non guasta gentilezza_—‘Poverty doth not degrade true nobility,’ as I can perceive by thy manner, O noble lady. Thou, Poverty, art the mother of Industry, and grandmother of Wealth, Health, and Art; thou makest all men work; but for thee there would be no harvests, yea, all the fine things in the world are due to Want.’ “‘And I?’ said Dame Hunger. ‘Dost thou also love me?’ “‘_Si_, _Dio ti benedicha_!’ replied the Signore. ‘_La fame ghastiga il ghiotto_’—‘Hunger corrects gluttony. “‘Hunger causes our delight, For it gives us appetite; For dainties without hunger sent Form a double punishment.’ ‘Hunger is the best sauce.’ Thou makest men bold, for _chane affamato non prezza bastone_—a hungry dog fears no stick. Thou makest the happiness of every feast.’ “‘_Ed io_, _Signore_?’ said Thirst. ‘Hast thou also a good word for me?’ “‘_A Dio_, _grazie_! God be praised that thou art. For without thee I should have no wine. Nor do men speak in pity of any one when they say in a wine-shop, “He is thirsty enough to drink up the Arno.” I remember a Venetian who once said, coming to a feast, “I would not take five gold _zecchini_ for this thirst which I now have.” And to sum it all up, I find that poverty with want to urge it is better than wealth without power to enjoy, and, taking one with another, the poor are honester and have better hearts than the rich.’ “‘Truly thou art great,’ replied Poverty. ‘_Gentile_, _buono_, _e galantuomo a parlare_—gentle, good, and noble in thy speech. In such wise thou wilt ever be rich, for as thou art rich thou art good and charitable. And thou hast well said that Plenty comes from us, and it is we who truly own the horn of plenty; and therefore take from me this horn as a gift, and while thou livest be as rich as thou art good and wise!’