nty than the fabled horn
Thrice emptied could pour forth at banqueting."

--KEATS, _The Earlier Version of_ "_Hyperion_."

"Prosperity is often our worst enemy, making us vicious, frivolous,
and insolent, so that to bear it well is a better test of a man than
to endure adversity."--GICCIARDINI, _Maxims_, No. 64.

I did not know when I first read and translated the following story,
which was obtained for me and written out by Maddalena, that it had any
reference to the celebrated historian and moralist, Guicciardini. How I
did so forms the subject of a somewhat singular little incident, which I
will subsequently relate.

LE TRE CORNE.

"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