In 1900 in Rome, the poor carpenter Francesco, by a twist of fate, is recognized component of a noble family in the process of decay. Francesco knows the cynical and ruthless Prince Torquato Terenzi, disappointed by life and progress, and also falls in love with the beautiful Duchess Elisa. When Prince Terenzi dies, Francesco realizes that he's not enriched for nothing with the inheritance, because the noble family is broke; so he enlistes himself for the war in Libya, but quickly returnes to Italy, disgusted by the atrocities of the fighting. His dream is to be a singer, and so he goes to America with the Duchess Elisa.
Pippo y Peppe son dos músicos callejeros a los que todo el mundo aprecio. Tras una pequeña estancia en la cárcel por un alboroto que causaron en un colegio electoral, llegan a casa y se encuentran en el lecho de muerte a Lucia, que ha dado a luz. Lucia era la chica que ambos cortejaban, sin saberlo el uno del otro.
