"O Brindisi, companions and dear friends! Allow me
to this fine gentleman,
who has done us the honor
of inviting us up here
to eat and drink,
to offer, in his presence,
as a token of gratitude,
a few words to thank him!
Thank you, thank you, sir!... Thank you! I say it to you
in the name of all these unfortunate souls,
who have been sated,
and who for the first time,
without stretching out a hand,
in the fragrant air of this garden
have tasted broth, meat, and wine!...
Your Excellency! And forgive these words,
which are Neapolitan and not Italian
as you deserve!
I was not able to study!
I cannot apply myself!...
Look!... I cannot see! Since I was born
I have seen no one!...
I am blind, look... I am blind!... Your Excellency, what a pity!...
His voice failed him. He wept... The hand
that held the glass
lowered slowly
and placed it on the table. He himself,
as if the wine had disturbed him,
bent slowly at the knees,
and, falling seated and abandoned,
fixed the white of his eyes in the void..."
Created by d'Araprì