Marco Lombardo [104] who was wiser than any other man of his calling,
was one day approached by a poor but distinguished gentleman who
secretly accepted gifts of money from people of substance, but did not
take other gifts. He had a very sharp tongue, and his name was Paolino.
He put such a question to Marco as he thought Marco would not be able
to answer.
Marco, he said, you are the wisest man in all Italy, and you are poor,
and disdain to petition for gifts: why did you not take forethought so
as to be rich and not have to beg?
And Marco turned round and then said: no one sees us, and no one hears
us. And how did you manage? And Sharp-Tongue replied: I have indeed but
managed to be poor. And Marco said: then do not betray me, and I will
not betray you [105].