Book of Emblems

The Graces.

The three Graces attend Venus and follow their mistress,
And from this, they prepare pleasures and nourishment.
Euphrosyne is joy; Aglaia is shining splendor;
Pitho is persuasion, and a charming grace of speech.
Why are they naked? Because charm consists in the purity of the mind,
And it pleases through exceptional simplicity.
Or is it because the ungrateful bring nothing back, and the casket
Of the Graces is empty? He who gives gifts, if he is empty-handed, is in need.
Why were winged sandals recently added to their feet? He gives twice
Who gives quickly; a slow favor is of the least value.
Why is one turned with arms intertwined? A grateful person
Lends at interest; to this one, two remain as one departs.
Jupiter is their father, and Eurynome, from the seed of heaven,
Brought forth these goddesses, welcome to all.