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:

"'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 fi