 CHAPTER 71-75 Not many days had passed before my metal being finished I stamped it in gold, silver and copper. After I had shown it to Mr. Pietro he immediately introduced me to the pope. It was on a day in April after dinner, and the weather very fine, the pope was in the Belvedere. After entering the presence I put my metals together with the dyes of steel into his hand. He took them, and recognizing it once their mastery of art, looked at Mr. Pietro in the face and said, The ancients never had such metals made for them as these. While he and the others were inspecting them, taking up now the dyes and now the metals in their hands, I began to speak as submissively as I was able. If a greater power had not controlled the working of my inauspicious stars and hindered that with which they violently menaced me, your holiness, without your fault or mine, would have lost a faithful and loving servant. It must, most blessed father, be allowed that in those cases where men are risking all upon one throw, it is not wrong to do as certain poor and simple men are wont to say, who tell us we must mark seven times and cut once. Your holiness will remember how the malicious and lying tongue of my bitter enemy so easily aroused your anger, that you ordered the governor to have me taken on the spot and hanged. But I have no doubt that when you had become aware of the irreparable act by which you would have wronged yourself in cutting off from your servant such as even now your holiness had saith he is, I am sure, I repeat, that before God in the world you would have felt no trifling twinges of remorse. Excellent and virtuous fathers and masters of light quality ought not to let their arm and wrath descend upon their sons and servants with such inconsiderate haste, seeing that subsequent repentance will avail them nothing. But now that God has overruled the malign influences of the stars and saved me from your holiness I humbly beg you another time not to let yourself so easily be stirred to rage against me. The Pope had stopped from looking at the Medals and was now listening attentively to what I said. There were many noblemen of the greatest consequence present which made him blush a little, as it were for shame, and not knowing how else to extricate himself from this entanglement he said he could not remember having given such an order. I changed the conversation in order to cover his embarrassment. His holiness then began to speak again about the Medals and asked what method I had used to stamp them so marvelously, large as they were, for he had never met with ancient pieces of that size. We talked a little on this subject, but being not quite easy that I might not begin another lecture sharper than the last, he praised my Medals and said that they gave him the greatest satisfaction, but that he should like another reverse made according to a fancy of his own if it were possible to stamp them with two different patterns. I said that it was possible to do so. Then his holiness commissioned me to design the history of Moses when he strikes the rock and water issues from it, with this model, Ut Bibat Populus. At last he added, Go Benvenuto, you will not have finished it before I have provided for your fortune. After I had taken leave the Pope proclaimed before the whole company that he would give me enough to live on wealthily without the need of laboring for any one but him. So I devoted myself entirely to working out this reverse with the Moses on it. 72. In the meantime the Pope was taken ill and his physicians thought the case was dangerous. Accordingly my enemy began to be afraid of me and engaged some Neapolitan soldiers to do to me what he was dreading I might do to him. I had therefore much trouble to defend my poor life. In course of time however I completed the reverse and when I took it to the Pope I found him in bed in a most deplorable condition. Nevertheless he received me with the greatest kindness and wished to inspect the metals in the dyes. He sent for spectacles and lights but wasn't able to see anything clearly. Then he began to fumble with his fingers at them and having felt them a short while he fetched a deep sigh and said to his attendants that he was much concerned about me but that if God gave him back his health he would make it all right. Many days afterwards the Pope died and I was left with all my labor lost. Yet I plucked up courage and told myself that these metals had won me so much celebrity that any Pope who was elected would give me work to do and para-adventure bring me better fortune. Thus I encouraged to put heart into myself and buried in oblivion all the injuries which Pompeo had done me. Then putting on my arms and girding my sword I went to San Piero and kissed the foot of the dead Pope not without shedding tears. Thus I returned to the Banshee to look at the great commotion which always happens on such occasions. While I was sitting on the street with several of my friends Pompeo went by, attended by ten men very well armed, and when he came just opposite he stopped as though about to pick a quarrel with myself. My companions, brave and adventurous young men, made signs to me to draw my sword, but it flashed through my mind that if I drew some terrible mischief might result for persons who were wholly innocent. Therefore I considered that it would be better if I put my life to risk alone. When Pompeo had stood there time enough to say to Ave. Maria's he laughed derisively in my direction and going off his fellows also laughed and wagged their heads with many other insolent gestures. My companions wanted to begin the fray at once but I told them hotly that I was quite able to conduct my quarrels to an end by myself and that I had no need of stouter fighters than I was so that each of them might mind his business. My friends were angry and went off muttering. Now there was among them my dearest comrade, named Albertaccio del Bene, own brother to Alessandro and Albizo, who is now a very rich man in Lyon. He was the most redoubtable young man I ever knew, and the most high-spirited, and loved me like himself, and in so much as he was well aware that my forbearance had not been inspired by want of courage but by the most daring bravery, for he knew me down to the bottom of my nature, he took my words up and begged me to favor him so far as to associate him with myself in all I meant to do. I replied, Dear Albertaccio, dearest to me above all men that live, the time will very likely come when you shall give me aid, but in this case if you love me do not attend to me, but look to your own business and go at once, like our other friends, for now there is no time to lose. These words were spoken in one breath. In the meanwhile my enemies had proceeded slowly down towards Chiavica, as the place was called, and had arrived at the crossing of several roads, going in different directions, but the street in which Pompeo's house stood was the one which leads straight to the Campo del Fiori. Some business or other made him enter the apothecary shop which stood at the corner of Chiavica, and there he stayed a while transacting it. I had just been told that he had boasted of the insult which he fancied he had put upon me, but be that as it may it was to his misfortune, for precisely when I came up to the corner he was leaving the shop, and his bravi had opened their ranks and received him in their midst. I drew a little dagger with a sharpened edge, and breaking the line of his defenders laid my hands upon his breasts so quickly and coolly that none of them were able to prevent me. Then I aimed to strike him in the face, but fright made him turn his head round. I stabbed him just beneath the ear. I gave only two blows for he fell stone dead at the second. I had not meant to kill him, but as the saying goes, knocks are not dealt by measure. With my left hand I plucked back the dagger, and with my right hand drew my sword to defend my life. However, all those bravi ran up to the corpse and took no action against me, so I went back alone through Stata Julia, considering how best to put myself in safety. I had walked about three hundred paces when Piloto the Goldsmith, my very good friend, came up and said, Brother, now that the mischief's done we must see to saving you. I replied, Let us go to Abrataccio Del Bene's house. It is only a few minutes since I told him I should soon have need of him. When we arrived there, Abrataccio and I embraced with measureless affection, and soon the whole flower of the young men of the Banshee, of all nations except the Milanese, came crowding in, and each and all made proffer of their own life to save mine. Messer Luigi Roccole also sent with marvellous promptitude and courtesy to put his services at my disposal, as did many other great folk of his station, where they all agreed in blessing my hands, judging that Pompeo had done me too great and unforgivable an injury, and marvelling that I had put up with him so long. 74 Cardinal Coronaro, on hearing of the affair, dispatched thirty soldiers with his many partisans, spikes, and archbuses to bring me with all due respect to his quarters. This he did unasked, whereupon I accepted the invitation and went off with them, while more than as many of the young men bore me company. Meanwhile, Messer Triano, Pompeo's relative in First Chamberlain to the Pope, sent a Milanese of high rank to Cardinal de Medici, giving him news of the great crime I had committed, and calling on his most reverent lordship to chastise me. The Cardinal retorted on the spot. His crime would indeed have been great if he had not committed this lesser one. Thank Messer Triano for me for giving me this information of a fact which I had not heard before. Then he turned in in presence of the nobleman, said to the Bishop of Frule, his gentleman and intimate acquaintance, searched diligently after my friend Ben Venuto, I want to help and defend him, and who so acts against thyself acts against myself. The Milanese nobleman went back, much disconcerted, while the Bishop of Frule came to visit me at Cardinal Coronaro's place. Presenting himself to the Cardinal he related how Cardinal de Medici had sent for Ben Venuto and wanted to be his protector. Now Cardinal Coronaro, who had the touchy temper of a bear, flew into a rage and told the Bishop he was quite as well able to defend me as Cardinal de Medici. The Bishop in reply entreated to be allowed to speak with me on some matters of his patron which had nothing to do with the affair. Coronaro bad him for that day to make as though he had already talked to me. Cardinal de Medici was very angry. However, I went the following night without Coronaro's knowledge and under a good escort to pay him my respects. Then I begged him to grant me the favor of leaving me where I was, and told him of the great courtesy which Coronaro had shown me, adding that if his most reverent lordship suffered me to stay, I should gain one friend the more in my hour of need, otherwise his lordship might dispose of me exactly as he thought best. He told me to do as I liked, so I returned to Coronaro's palace, and a few days afterwards the Cardinal Furnese was elected pope. After he had put affairs of greater consequence in order, the new pope sent for me, saying that he did not wish anyone else to strike his coins. To these words of his holiness a gentleman very privately acquainted with him, named Messer Latino Juvenal, made answer that I was in hiding for a murder committed on the person of one Pompeo of Milan, and set forth what could be argued for my justification in the most favorable terms. The pope replied, I knew nothing of Pompeo's death, but plenty of Benvenuto's provocation, so let a safe conduct be at once made out for him in order that he may be placed in perfect security. A great friend of Pompeo's, who was also intimate with the pope, happened to be there. He was a Milanese, called Messer Ambroglio. This man said, in the first days of your papacy it were not well to grant pardons of this kind. The pope turned to him and answered, You know less about such matters than I do. Know then that men like Benvenuto, unique in their profession, stand above the law, and how far more he than who received the provocation I have heard of. When my safe conduct had been drawn out, I began at once to serve him, and was treated with the utmost favour. 75 Messer Latino Juvenal came to call on me and gave me orders to strike the coins of the pope. This roused up all my enemies who began to look about how they should hinder me, but the pope, perceiving their drift, scolded them, and insisted that I should go on working. I took the dyes in hand, designing a S. Paul, surrounded with this inscription, Vos Eleccionis. This piece of money gave far more satisfaction than the models of my competitors, so that the pope forbade anyone else to speak to him of coins, since he wished me only to have to do with them. This encouraged me to apply myself with untroubled spirit to the task, and Messer Latino Juvenal, who had received such orders from the pope, to introduce me to his holiness. I had it much at heart to recover the post of stamper to the mint, but on this point the pope took advice and then told me I must first obtain a pardon for the homicide, and this I should get at the Holy Mary's Day in August through the Caporione of Rome. I must say that it is usual every year on this solemn festival to grant the freedom of twelve outlaws to these officers. Meanwhile he promised to give me another safe conduct, which should keep me in security until that time. When my enemies perceived that they were quite unable to devise the means of keeping me out of the mint, they resorted to another expedient. The deceased Pompeo had left three thousand dockets as dowry to an illegitimate daughter of his, and they contrived that a certain favorite of senior Pierre Luigi, the pope's son, should ask her hand in marriage through the medium of his master. Accordingly the match came off, but this fellow was an insignificant country lad who had been brought up by his lordship, and as folks said, he got but little of the money since his lordship laid his hands on it and had the mind to use it. Now the husband of the girl to please his wife begged the prince to have me taken up, and he promised to do so when the first flesh of my favor with the pope had passed away. Things stood so about two months, the servant always suing for his wife's dower, the master putting him off with pretexts, but assuring the woman that he would certainly revenge her father's murder. I obtained an inkling of these designs, yet I did not omit to present myself pretty frequently to his lordship, who made sure of treating me with great distinction. He had, however, decided to do one or other of two things, to have me assassinated or to have me taken up by the Bargello. Accordingly he commissioned a certain little devil of a Corsican soldier in his service to do the trick as cleverly as he could, and my other enemies, with Messer Treano at the head of them, promised the fellow a reward of one hundred crowns. He assured them that the job would be as easy as sucking a fresh egg. Seeing into their plot I went about with my eyes open and with good attendance, wearing an undercoat and armlets of mail for which I had obtained permission. The Corsican, influenced by avarice, hoped to gain a wholesome of money without risk, and imagined himself capable of carrying the matter through alone. Consequently one day after dinner he had me sent for in the name of Sr. Pierre Luigi. I went off at once because his lordship had spoken of wanting to order several big silver vases. Leaving my home in a hurry, armed, however, as usual, I walked rapidly through Strada Giulia toward the Palazzo Farnese, not expecting to meet anybody at that hour of the day. I had reached the end of the street and was making toward the palace, when, my habit being always to turn the corners wide, I observed the Corsican get up and take a station in the middle of the road. Being prepared I was not in the least disconcerted, but kept upon my guard, and slackening pace a little, drew nearer toward the wall in order to give the fellow a wide berth. He on his side came closer to the wall, and when we were now within a short distance of each other, I perceived by his gestures that he had it in his mind to do me mischief, and seeing me alone thus thought he should succeed. Accordingly I began to speak and said, Brave soldier, if it had been night you might have said you had mistaken me, but since it is full day you know well enough who I am. I never had anything to do with you, and never injured you, but should be well disposed to do you service. He replied in a high spirited way, without, however, making room for me to pass, that he did not know what I was saying. Then I answered, I know very well indeed what you want and what you are saying, but the job which you have taken in hand is more dangerous and difficult than you imagine, and may paraventure turn out the wrong way for you. Remember that you have to do with a man who would defend himself against a hundred, and the adventure you are on is not esteemed by men of courage like yourself. Meanwhile I also was looking black as thunder, and each of us had changed colour. Folk too gathered round us, for it had become clear that our words meant swords and daggers. He then, not having the spirit to lay hands on me, cried out, We shall meet another time. I answered, I am always glad to meet honest men, and those who show themselves as such. When we parted I went to his lordship's palace, and found that he had not sent for me. When I returned to my shop the Corsican informed me, through an intimate friend of his in mind, that I need not be on my guard against him, since he wished to be my good brother, but that I ought to be much on my guard against others, seeing I was in the greatest peril, for folk of much consequence had sworn to have my life. I sent to thank him, and kept the best lookout I could. Not many days after a friend of mine informed me that Senior Pierre Luigi had given strict orders that I should be taken that very evening. They told me this at twenty, whereupon I spoke with some of my friends, who advised me to be off at once. The order had been given for one hour after sunset. Accordingly at twenty-three I left the post for Florence. It seems that when the Corsican showed that he had not pluck enough to do the business as he promised, Senior Pierre Luigi on his own authority gave orders to have me taken, merely to stop the mouth of Pompeo's daughter, who was always clamoring to know where her dower had gone to. When he was unable to gratify her in this matter of revenge on either of the two plants he had formed, he bethought him of another, which shall be related in its proper place. CHAPTER 76-80 I reached Florence in due course and paid my respects to the Duke Alessandro, who greeted me with extraordinary kindness and pressed me to remain in his service. There was then at Florence a sculptor called Il Treblino, and we were gossips, for I had stood Godfather to his son. In course of conversation he told me that a certain Giacopo del San Sovino, his first master, had sent for him, and whereas he had never seen Venice, and because of the gains he expected, he was very glad to go there. On his asking me if I had ever been at Venice, I said no. This made him invite me to accompany him, and I agreed. So then I told Duke Alessandro that I wanted first to go to Venice, and that afterwards I would return to serve him. He exacted a formal promise to this effect, and bad me present myself before I left the city. Next day, having made my preparations, I went to take leave of the Duke, whom I found in the palace of the Pazzi, at that time inhabited by the wife and daughters of Sr. Lorenzo Cibo. Having sent word to his Excellency that I wished to set off for Venice with his good leave, Sr. Casomino de Medici, now Duke of Florence, returned with the answer that I must go to Nicolo de Montaguto, who would give me fifty golden crowns, which his Excellency bestowed on me in sign of his good will, and afterwards I must return to serve him. I got the money from Nicolo, and then went to fetch Tribolo, whom I found ready to start, and he asked me whether I had bound my sword. I answered that a man on horseback about to take a journey ought not to bind his sword. He said that the custom was so in Florence, since a certain Sir Maurizio then held office, who was capable of putting St. John the Baptist to the rat for any trifling peccadillo. Accordingly one had to carry one's sword bound till the gates were passed. I laughed at this, and so we set off, joining the courier to Venice, who was nicknamed Il Lamentone. In his company we traveled through Bologna, and arrived one evening at Ferrara. There we halted at the end of the piazza, which Lamentone went in search of some Florentine exiles, to take them letters and messages from their wives. The Duke had given orders that only the courier might talk to them and no one else, under penalty of incurring the same banishment as they had. Meanwhile, since it was a little past the hour of twenty-two, Tribolo and I went to see the Duke of Ferrara come back from Bel Fiori, where he had been at a jousting match. There we met a number of exiles, who stared at us as though they wished to make us speak with them. Tribolo, who was the most timorous man that I have ever known, kept on saying, Do not look at them or talk to them if you care to go back to Florence. So we stayed and saw the Duke return. Afterwards, when we regained our in, we found Lamentone there. After nightfall there appeared Niccolo Benintendi and his brother Piero and another old man, whom I believed to have been Giacopo Nardi, together with some young fellows who began immediately to ask the courier news, each man of his own family in Florence. Tribolo and I kept at a distance in order to avoid speaking with them. After they had talked a while with Lamentone, Niccolo, Benintendi, said, I know those two men there very well. What's the reason they give themselves such beastly heirs and will not talk to us? Tribolo kept begging me to hold my tongue while Lamentone told them that we had not the same permission as he had. Benintendi retorted that it was idiotic nonsense, adding, Pox, take them and other pretty flowers of speech. Then I raised my head as gently as I could and said, Dear gentlemen, you are able to do a serious injury while we cannot render you any assistance, and though you have flung words at us, which we are far from deserving, we do not mean on that account to get into a rage with you. Thereupon old Nardi said that I had spoken like a worthy young man, as I was. But Niccolo Benintendi shouted, I would snap my fingers at them and the Duke. I replied that he was in the wrong toward us since we had nothing to do with him or his affairs. Old Nardi took our part, telling Benintendi, plainly, that he was in the wrong, which made him go on muttering insults. On this I bad him know that I could say and do things to him which he would not like, and therefore he had better mind his business and let us alone. Once more he cried out that he snapped his fingers at the Duke and us, and that we are all of us a heap of donkeys. I replied by giving him the lie direct and drawing my sword. The old man wanting to be first upon the staircase tumbled down some steps, and all the rest of them came huddling after him. I rushed onward, brandishing my sword along the walls with fury, shouting, I will kill you all. But I took good care not to do them any harm, as I might too easily have done. In the midst of this tumult the innkeeper screamed out. Lamontoni cried, for God's sake hold! Some of them exclaimed, O me, my head! Others, let me get out from here. In short it was an indescribable confusion. They looked like a herd of swine. Then the host came in with a light, while I withdrew upstairs to put my sword back in its scabbard. Lamontoni told Niccolo Benintendi that he had behaved very ill. The host said to him, It is as much as one's life is worth to draw swords here, and if the Duke were to know of your brawling he would have you hanged. I will not do to you what you deserve, but take care you never show yourself again at my inn, or it will be the worst for you. Our host then came up to me, and when I began to make him my excuses he would not suffer me to say a word, but told me that he knew I was entirely in the right, and bade me to be upon my guard against those men upon my journey. 77 After we had supped a bargeman appeared, and offered to take us to Venice. I asked if he would let us have the boat to Venice. He was willing, and so we made our bargain. In the morning we rose early and mounted our horses for the port, which is a few miles distant from Ferrara. On arriving there we found Niccolo Benintendi's brother, with three comrades waiting for me. They had among them two lances, and I had bought a stout pike in Ferrara. Being very well armed to boot I was not at all frightened, as Tribulo was, who cried, God help us, those fellers are waiting here to murder us. Lamontoni turned to me and said, The best that you can do is to go back to Ferrara, for I see that the affair is likely to be ugly. For heaven's sake, Benvenuto, do not risk the fury of these mad beasts. To which I replied, Let us go forward, for God helps those who have the right on their side, and you shall see how I will help myself. Is not this boat engaged for us? Yes, said Lamontoni. Then we will stay in it without them, unless my manhood has deserted me. I put spurs to my horse, and when I was within fifty paces dismounted and marched boldly forward with my pike. Tribulo stopped behind, all huddled up upon his horse, looking the very image of frost. Lamontoni, the courier, meanwhile, was swelling and snorting like the wind. That was his usual habit, but now he did so more than he was want, being in doubt how this devilish affair would terminate. When I reached the boat, the master presented himself and said that those Florentine gentlemen wanted to embark in it with us if I was willing. I answered, The boat is engaged for us and no one else, and it grieves me to the heart that I am not able to have their company. At these words a brave young man of the Magalotti family spoke out, Benvenuto, we will make you able to have it. To which I answered, If God and my good cause, together with my own strength of body and mind, possess the will and the power, you shall not make me able to have what you say. So saying I leapt into the boat, and turning my pike's point against them, added, I'll show you with this weapon that I am not able. Wishing to prove he was an earnest, Magalotti then seized his own and came toward me. I sprang upon the gun-whale and hit him such a blow that, if he had not tumbled backward, I must have pierced his body. His comrades, in lieu of helping him, turned to fly, and when I saw that I could kill him, instead of striking, I said, Get up, brother, take your arms and go away. I have shown you that I cannot do what I do not want, and what I had the power to do I have not chosen to do. Then I called for Trebolo, the boatman, and Lamentoni to embark, and so we got under way for Venice. When we had gone ten miles on the pole we sighted those young men who had got into a skiff and caught us up, and when they were alongside, that idiot, Pierro Benintendi, sang out to me, Go thy ways this time, Benvenuto, we shall meet in Venice. Set out the times then, I shouted, for I am coming, and any man can meet me where he lists. In due course we arrived at Venice, when I applied to a brother of Cardinal Coronaro, begging him to procure for me the favour of being allowed to carry arms. He advised me to do so without hesitation, saying that the worst risk I ran was that I might lose my sword. 78. Accordingly I girded on my sword and went to visit Jacopo del Sansovino, the sculptor, who had sent for Trebolo. He received me most kindly and invited us to dinner, and we stayed with him. In course of conversation with Trebolo he told him that he had no work to give him at the moment, but that he might call again. Hearing this I burst out laughing, and said pleasantly to Sansovino, your house is too far off from his, if he must call again. Poor Trebolo, all in dismay, exclaimed, I've got your letter here, which you wrote to bid me come. Sansovino rejoined that men of his sort, men of worth and genius, were free to do that and greater things besides. Trebolo shrugged up his shoulders and muttered, patience, patience, several times. Thereupon without regarding the copious dinner which Sansovino had given me, I took the part of my comrade Trebolo, for he was in the right. All the while at table, Sansovino never stopped chattering about his great achievements, abusing Michelangelo and the rest of his fellow sculptors, while he bragged and vaunted himself to the skies. This had so annoyed me that not a single mouthful which I ate had tasted well, but I refrained from saying more than these two words. Mr. Jacopo, men of worth act like men of worth and men of genius who produce things beautiful and excellent, shine forth far better when other people praise them than when they both so confidently of their own achievements. Upon this he and I rose from the table, blowing off the steam of all color. The same day, happening to pass near the Rialto, I met Piero Ben Intendi in the company of some men, and perceiving that they were going to pick a quarrel with me, I turned into an apothecary shop till the storm blew over. Afterwards I learned that the young Magalotti, to whom I showed that courtesy, had scolded them roundly, and thus the affair ended. 79. A few days afterwards we set out on our return to Florence. We lay one night at a place on this side of Chiaggia, on the left hand as you go towards Ferrara. Here the host insisted upon being paid before we went to bed, and in his own way, and when I observed that it was the custom everywhere else to pay in the morning, he answered, I insist on being paid overnight and in my own way. I retorted that men who wanted everything their own way ought to make a world after their own fashion, since things were differently managed here. Our host told me not to go on bothering his brains, because he was determined to do as he had said. Trebolo stood trembling with fear, and nudged me to keep quiet, lest they should do something worse to us, so we paid them in the way they wanted, and afterwards we retired to rest. We had, I must admit, the most capital beds, new in every particular, and as clean as they could be. Nevertheless I did not get one wink of sleep, because I kept on thinking how I could revenge myself. At one time it came into my head to set fire to his house, at another to cut the throats of four fine horses which he had in the stable. I saw well enough that it was easy for me to do all this, but I could not see how easy it was to secure myself and my companion. At last I resolved to put my things and my comrades on board the boat, and so I did. When the towing horses had been harnessed to the cable I ordered the people not to stir before I returned, for I had left a pair of slippers in my bedroom. Accordingly I went back to the inn and called our host, who told me he had nothing to do with us, and that we might go to Jericho. There was a ragged stable-boy about, half asleep, who cried out to me, the master would not move to please the Pope, because he has got a wench in bed with him, whom he has been wanting this long while. Then he asked for a tip, and I gave him a few Venetian coppers, and told him to make the barge man wait till I had found my slippers and returned. I went upstairs, took out a little knife as sharp as a razor, and cut the four beds that I found there into ribbons. I had the satisfaction of knowing I had done a damage of more than fifty crowns. Then I ran down to the boat with some pieces of the bed covers in my pouch, and bad the barge started once without delay. We had not gone far before my gossip Trebolo said that he had left behind some little straps belonging to his carpet bag, and that he must be allowed to go back for them. I answered that he need not take thought for a pair of little straps, since I could make him as many big ones as he liked. He told me I was always joking, but that he must really go back for his straps. Then he began ordering the barge to stop, while I kept ordering him to go on. Meanwhile I informed my friend what kind of trick I had played our host, and showed him specimens of the bed covers and other things, which threw him into such a quaking fright that he roared out to the barge, on with you, on with you, as quick as you can, and never thought himself quite safe until we reached the gates of Florence. When we arrived there Trebolo said, Let us bind our swords up, for the love of God and play me no more of your games I beg, for all this while I felt as though my guts were in the saucepan. I made answer, Gossip Trebolo, you need not tie your sword up, for you have never loosed it. And this I said at random, because I never once had seen him act the man upon that journey. When he heard the remark he looked at his sword and cried out, In God's name you speak true. Here it is tied, just as I arranged it before I left my house. My gossip deemed that I had been a bad travelling companion to him, because I resented affronts and defended myself against folk who would have done us injury. But I deemed that he had acted a far worse part with regard to me by never coming to my assistance at such pinches. Let him judge between us who stands by and has no personal interest in our adventures. 80. No sooner had I dismounted that I went to visit Duke Alessandro and thanked him greatly for his present of fifty crowns, telling his Excellency that I was always ready to serve him according to my abilities. He gave me orders at once to strike dyes for his coinage, and the first I made was a piece of forty soldy, with the Duke's head on one side and San Cosimo and San Damiano on the other. This was in silver, and it gave so much satisfaction that the Duke did not hesitate to say they were the best pieces of money in Christendom. The same said all Florence and every one who saw them. Consequently I asked his Excellency to make me appointments, and to grant me lodgings of the mint. He bade me remain in his service and promised he would give me more than I demanded. Meanwhile he said he had commissioned the master of the mint, a certain Carlo Aciarioli, that I might go to him for all the money that I wanted. This I found to be true, but I drew my money so discreetly that I always had something to my credit according to my account. Then I made dyes for a Julio. It had San Giovanni in profile, seated with a book in his hand, finer in my judgment than anything which I had done, and on the other side were the armorial bearings of Duke Alessandro. Next I made dyes for half Julios, on which I struck the full face of San Giovanni in small. This was the first coin with a head in full face on so thin a piece of silver that had yet been seen. The difficulty of executing it is apparent only to the eyes of such as our past masters in these crafts. Afterwards I made dyes for the golden crowns. This crown had a cross upon one side with some little cherubim, and on the other side his Excellency's arms. When I had struck these four sorts I begged the Duke to make out my appointments and to assign me the lodgings, I had mentioned, if he was contented with my service. He told me very graciously that he was quite satisfied and that he would grant me my request. While we were thus talking, his Excellency was in his wardrobe looking at a remarkable little gun that had been sent him out of Germany. When he noticed that I too paid particular attention to this pretty instrument, he put it in my hands, saying that he knew how much pleasure I took in such things, and adding that I might choose for earnest of his promises and arc boost to my own liking from the armory, accepting only this one piece. He was well aware that I should find things of greater beauty and not less excellent there. Upon this invitation I accepted with thanks, and when he saw me looking round he ordered his Master of the Wardrobe, a certain Pratino of Luca, to let me take whatever I liked. Then he went away with the most pleasant words at parting, while I remained, and chose the finest and best arc-boost I ever saw, or ever had, and took it back with me to home. Two days afterward I brought some drawings which his Excellency had commissioned for goldwork he wanted to give his wife, who was at that time still in Naples. I again asked him to settle my affairs. Then his Excellency told me that he should like me first to execute the die of his portrait in fine style as I had done for Pope Clement. I began it in wax, and the Duke gave orders, while I was at work upon it, that whenever I went to take his portrait I should be admitted. Perceiving that I had a lengthy piece of business on my hands I sent for a certain Pietro Pagolo from Monte Rotondo, in the Roman district, who had been with me from his boyhood in Rome. I found him with one Bernadonna Cio, a goldsmith, who did not treat him well, so I brought him away from there and taught him minutely how to strike coins from these dies. Meanwhile I went on making the Duke's portrait, and often times I found him napping after dinner with that Lorenzino of his, who afterwards murdered him and no other company, and much I marveled that a Duke of that sort showed such confidence about his safety. CHAPTERS 81-81 It happened at this time Ataviano de' Medici, who to all appearances had got the government of everything in his own hands, favored the old master of the mint against the Duke's will. This man was called Bastiano Sanini, an artist of the antiquated school, and of little skill in his craft. Ataviano mixed his stupid dies with mine in the coinage of the crown pieces. I complained of this to the Duke, who when he saw how the matter stood took it very ill and said to me, Go! Tell this Ataviano de' Medici and show him how it is. I lost no time, and when I had pointed out the injury that had been done to my fine coins he answered, like the donkey that he was, we choose to have it so. I replied that it ought not to be so, and that I did not choose to have it so. He said, and if the Duke likes to have it so, I answered it would not suit me, for the thing is neither just nor reasonable. He told me to take myself off, and that I should have no swallow in it this way, even if I burst. Then I returned to the Duke, and related the whole unpleasant conversation between Ataviano de' Medici and me, in treating his Excellency not to allow the fine coins which I had made for him to be spoiled, and begging for permission to leave Florence. He replied, Ataviano is too presuming. You shall have what you want, for this is an injury offered to myself. That very day which was a Thursday I received from Rome a full safe conduct from the Pope, with advice to go there at once and get the pardon of our ladies' feast in mid-August, in order that I might clear myself from the penalties attaching to my homicide. I went to the Duke, whom I found in bed, for they told me he was suffering the consequence of a debauch. In little more than two hours I finished what was wanted for his wax and metal, and when I showed it to him it pleased him extremely. Then I exhibited the safe conduct sent to me at the order of the Pope, and told him how his holiness had recalled me to execute certain pieces of work. On this account I should like to regain my footing in the fair city of Rome, which would not prevent my attending to his metal. The Duke made answer half in anger. Benvenuto, do as I desire. Stay here. I will provide for your appointments, and will give you the lodgings and the mint, with much more than you asked for, because your requests are only just and reasonable. And who do you think will be able to strike the beautiful dyes which you have made for me? Then I said, My Lord, I have thought of everything, for I have here a pupil of mine, a young Roman whom I have taught the art. He will serve your Excellency very well till I return with your metal finished, to remain forever in your service. I have in Rome a shop open, with journeymen and a pretty business. As soon as I have got my pardon I will leave all the devotion of Rome to a pupil of mine there, and will come back with your Excellency's good permission to you. During this conversation the Lorenzino de Medici whom I have mentioned above was present and no one else. The Duke frequently signed to him that he should join in pressing me to stay. But Lorenzino never said anything except, Benvenuto, you would do better to remain where you are. I answered that I wanted by all means to regain my hold on Rome. He made no reply, but continued eyeing the Duke with very evil glances. When I had finished the metal to my liking and shut it in its little box, I said to the Duke, My Lord, pray let me have your good will, for I will make you a much finer metal than the one I made for Pope Clement. It is only reasonable that I should, since that was the first I ever made. Mr. Lorenzo here will give me some exquisite reverse, as he is a person learned of the greatest genius. To these words Lorenzo suddenly made answer, I have been thinking of nothing else but how to give you a reverse worthy of his Excellency. The Duke laughed a little, and looking at Lorenzo said, Lorenzo, you shall give him the reverse, and he shall do it here and shall not go away. Lorenzo took him up at once saying, I will do it as quickly as I can, and I hope to do something that shall make the whole world wonder. The Duke, who held him sometimes for a fool and sometimes for a coward, turned about in bed, and laughed at his bragging words. I took my leave without further ceremony and left them alone together. The Duke, who did not believe that I was really going, said nothing further. Afterwards, when he knew that I was gone, he sent one of his servants, who caught me up at Siena, and gave me fifty golden dukets with a message from the Duke, that I should take and use them for his sake, and should return as soon as possible, and for Meso Lorenzo I have to tell you that he is preparing an admirable reverse for that medal which you want to make. I had left full directions to Petro Pagolo, the Roman above mentioned, how he had to use the dyes, but as it was a very delicate affair he never quite succeeded in employing them. I remained creditor to the mint in a matter of more than seventy crowns on account of dyes supplied by me. Note one. This ataviano was not descended from either Cosimo or Lorenzo de' Medici, but from an elder, though less illustrious, brand of the great family. He married Francesca Salviati, the aunt of Duke Cosimo. Though a great patron of the arts and an intimate friend of Emma Buonarrati, he was not popular owing to his pride of place. Eighty-two. On the journey to Rome I carried with me that handsome arc-boost which the Duke gave me, and very much to my own pleasure I used it several times by the way, performing incredible feats by means of it. The little house I had in Strata Julio was not ready, so I dismounted at the house of Messer Giovanni Gotti, clerk of the camera, to whose keeping I had committed on leaving Rome many of my arms and other things I cared for. So I did not choose to alight at my shop, but sent for Felice, my partner, and got him to put my little dwelling forthwith into excellent order. The day following I went to sleep there, after well providing myself with clothes and all things requisite, since I intended to go and thank the Pope next morning. I had two young serving-lads, and beneath my lodgings lived a laundress who cooked extremely nice for me. That evening I entertained several friends at supper, and having passed the time with great enjoyment but took myself to bed. The night had hardly ended. Indeed it was more than an hour before daybreak, when I heard a furious knocking at the house-door, stroke succeeding stroke without a moment's pause. Suddenly I called my elder servant, Senzio, he was the man I took into the necromanic circle, and bade him to go and see who the madman was that knocked so brutally at that hour of the night. While Senzio was on this errand I lighted another lamp, for I always keep one by me at night. Then I made haste to pass an excellent coat of mail over my shirt, and above that some clothes which I caught up at random. Senzio returned, exclaiming, Heaven's master, it is the Bargello and all his guard. He says that if you do not open at once he will knock the door down. They have torches and a thousand things besides with them. I answered, Tell them that I am huddling my clothes on and will come out to them in my shirt. Supposing it was a trap laid to murder me, as had been before done by Senor Pierre Luigi, I seized an excellent dagger with my right hand, and with my left I took the safe conduct. Then I ran to the back window, which looked out on gardens, and there I saw more than thirty constables, wherefore I knew that I could not escape upon that side. I made the two lads go in front, and told them to open the door exactly when I gave the word to do so. Then taking up an attitude of defense, with the dagger in my right hand and the safe conduct in my left, I cried to the lads, Have no fear but open. The Bargello, Vittorio, and the officers sprang inside at once, thinking they could easily lay hands upon me. But when they saw me prepared in that way to receive them they fell back, exclaiming, We have a serious job on hand here. Then I threw the safe conduct to them and said, Read that, and since you cannot seize me, I do not mean that you shall touch me. The Bargello upon this ordered some of his men to arrest me, saying he would look into the safe conduct later. Thereat I presented my arms boldly, calling aloud, Let God defend the right. Either I shall escape your hands alive or be taken a dead corpse. The room was crammed with men. They made as though they would resort to violence. I stood upon my guard against them so that the Bargello saw he would not be able to have me except in the way I said. Accordingly he called his clerk, and while the safe conduct was being read, he showed by signs two or three times that he meant to have me secured by his officers. But this had no effect of shaking my determination. At last they gave up the attempt, threw my safe conduct on the ground, and went away without their prize. 83 When I returned to bed I felt so agitated that I could not get to sleep again. My mind was made up to let blood as soon as day broke. However, I asked advice of Messergotti, and he referred to a wretched doctor fellow he employed, who asked me if I had been frightened. Now just consider what a judicious doctor this was after I had narrated an occurrence of that gravity to ask me such a question. He was an empty fribbler who kept perpetually laughing about nothing at all. Simpering and sniggering then, he bade me drink a good cup of Greek wine, keep my spirits up, and not be frightened. Messergiovanni, however, said, Master, a man of bronze or marble might be frightened in such circumstances. How much more want of flesh and blood? The quack responded, Monsignor, we are not all made after the same pattern. This fellow is no man of bronze or marble but of pure iron. Then he gave one of his meaningless laughs, and putting his fingers on my wrist said, Feel here, this is not a man's pulse, but a lion's or a dragon's. At this, I, whose blood was thumping in my veins, probably far beyond anything which that fool of a doctor had learned from his hypocriteezer Galen, know at once how serious was my situation. Yet wishing not to add to my uneasiness and to the harm I had already taken, I made show of being in good spirits. While this was happening, Messergiovanni had ordered dinner, and we all of us sat down to eat in company. I remembered that Messer Lodovico de Fano, Messer Antonio Allegretti, Messer Giovanni Greco, all of them men of the finest scholarship, and Messer Annabel Caro, who was then quite young, were present. At table the conversation turned entirely upon my act of daring. They insisted on hearing the whole story over and over again for my apprentice Sencio, who was a youth of superlative talent, bravery, and extreme personal beauty. Each time that he described my truculent behavior, throwing himself into the attitudes I had assumed, and repeating the words which I had used, he called up some fresh detail to my memory. They kept asking him if he had been afraid, to which he answered that they ought to ask me if I had been afraid, because he felt precisely the same as I had. All this chattering grew irksome to me, and since I still felt strongly agitated, I rose at last from the table, saying that I wanted to go and get new clothes of blue silk and stuff for him and me, adding that I meant to walk in procession after four days at the Feast of Our Lady, and meant Sencio to carry a white-lighted torch on the occasion. Accordingly I took my leave, and had the blue cloth cut, together with a handsome jacket of blue sarsenet and a little doublet of the same, and I had a similar jacket and waistcoat made for Sencio. When these things had been cut out, I went to see the Pope, who told me to speak with Messer Amber Oggio, for he had given orders that I should execute a large piece of golden plate. So I went to find Messer Amber Oggio, who had heard the whole of the affair of the Bargello, and had been in concert with my enemies to bring me back to Rome, and had scolded the Bargello for not laying hands on me. The man excused himself by saying that he could not do so in the face of the safe conduct which I held. Messer Amber Oggio now began to talk about the Pope's commission, and bad me make drawings for it, saying that the business should be put at once in train. Meanwhile the feast of our Lady came round. Now it is the custom, for those who get a pardon upon this occasion, to give themselves up to prison, in order to avoid doing which I returned to the Pope, and told his holiness that I was very unwilling to go to prison, and that I begged him to grant me the favor of a dispensation. The Pope answered that such was the custom, and that I must follow it. Thereupon I fell again upon my knees, and thanked him for the safe conduct he had given me, saying at the same time that I should go back with it to serve my Duke in Florence, who was waiting for me so impatiently. On hearing this the Pope turned to one of his confidential servants and said, Let Benvenuto get his grace without the prison, and see that his matoproprio is made out in due form. As soon as the document had been drawn up, his holiness signed it. It was then registered at the capital. Afterwards upon the day appointed I walked in procession very honorably between two gentlemen, and so got clear at last. Four days had passed when I was attacked with violent fever attended by extreme cold, and taking to my bed I made up my mind that I was sure to die. I had the first doctors of Rome called in, among whom was Francesco de Norcia, a physician of great age, and of the best repute in Rome. I told them what I believed to be the cause of my illness, and said that I had wished to let blood, but that I had been advised against it, and if it was not too late I begged them to plead me now. Maestro Francesco answered that it would not be well for me to let blood then, but that if I had done so before I should have escaped without mischief. At present they would have to treat the case with other remedies. So they began to doctor me as energetically as they were able, while I grew daily worse and worse so rapidly, that after eight days the physicians disparate of my life, and said that I might be indulged in any whim I had to make me comfortable. Maestro Francesco added, As long as there is breath in him, call me at all hours, for no one can divine what nature is able to work in a young man of this kind. Moreover, if he should lose consciousness, administer these five remedies one after the other, and send for me, for I will come at any hour of the night. I would rather save him than any of the cardinals in Rome. Every day Messer Giovanni Gotti came to see me two or three times, and each time he took up one or another of my handsome fouling-pieces, coats of mail or swords, using words like these, that is a handsome thing, that other is still handsomer, and likewise with my models and other trifles, so that at last he drove me wild with annoyance. In his company came a certain Matteo Franzese, and this man also appeared to be waiting impatiently for my death, not indeed because he would inherit anything from me, because he wished for what his master seemed to have so much at heart. Felice, my partner, was always at my side, rendering the greatest services which it is possible for one man to give another. Nature, in me, was utterly debilitated and undone. I had not strength enough to fetch my breath back if it left me, and yet my brain remained as clear and strong as it had been before my illness. Nevertheless, although I kept my consciousness, a terrible old man used to come to my bedside, and make as though he would drag me by force into a huge boat he had with him. This made me call out to my Felice to draw near and chase that malignant old man away. Felice, who loved me most affectionately, ran weeping and crying, away with you, old traitor, you are robbing me of all the good I have in this world. Messer Giovanni Gotti, who was present, then began to say, the poor fellow was delirious, and has only a few hours to live. His fellow, Matteo Franzese, remarked, he has read Dante, and in the prostration of his sickness this apparition has appeared to him. Then he added, laughingly, away with you, old rascal, and don't bother our friend Ben Venuto. When I saw that they were making fun of me, I turned to Messer Gotti and said, My dear master, know that I am not raving, and that it is true that this old man is really giving me annoyance. But the best that you can do for me would be to drive that miserable Matteo from my side, who is laughing at my affliction. Afterwards, if your lordship deigns to visit me again, let me beg you to come with Messer Antonio Allegretti, or Messer Annabelle Caro, or with some other of your accomplished friends, who are persons of quite different intelligence and discretion from that beast. Hereupon Messer Giovanni told Matteo and Jess to take himself out of his sight forever, but because Matteo went on laughing, the joke turned to earnest, for Messer Giovanni would not look upon him again, but sent for Messer Antonio Allegretti, Messer Ludovico, and Messer Annabelle Caro. On the arrival of these worthy men I was greatly comforted, and talked reasonably with them awhile, however not without frequently urging Felice to drive the old man away. Messer Ludovico asked me what it was I seemed to see, and how the man was shaped. While I portrayed him accurately in words, the old man took me by the arm and dragged me violently toward him. This made me cry out for aid, because he was going to fling me under hatches in his hideous boat. On saying that last word I fell into a terrible swoon, and seemed to be sinking down into the boat. They say that during that fainting fit I flung myself about and cast bad words at Messer Giovanni Gatti to wit that he came to rob me, and not from any motive of charity and other insults of the kind, which caused him to be much ashamed. Later on they say that I still lay like one dead, and after waiting by me more than an hour, thinking I was growing cold they left me for dead. When they returned home Matteo Franzese was informed, who wrote to Florence to Messer Benedetto Varchi, my very dear friend, that they had seen me die at such and such an hour of the night. When he heard the news the most accomplished man and my dear friend composed an admirable sonnet upon my supposed, but not real death, which shall be reported in its proper place. More than three long hours passed, and yet I did not regain consciousness. Felice, having used all the remedies prescribed by Maestro Francesco, and seeing that I did not come to, ran post-haste to the physician's door, and knocked so loudly that he woke him up, and made him rise, and begged him with tears to come to the house, for he thought that I was dead. Where to, Maestro Francesco, who was a very choleric man, replied, My son, of what use do you think I should be if I came? If he is dead, I am more sorry than you are. Do you imagine that if I were to come with my medicine I could breathe up through his guts and bring him back to life for you? But when he saw that the poor young fellow was going away weeping, he called him back and gave him an oil with which to anoint my pulses and my heart, telling him to pinch my little fingers and toes very tightly, and to send it once to call if I should revive. Felice took his way, and did as Maestro Francesco had ordered. It was almost bright day when, thinking they would have to abandon hope, they gave orders to have my shroud made and to wash me. Suddenly I regained consciousness, and called out to Felice to drive away the old man on the moment who kept tormenting me. He wanted to send for Maestro Francesco, but I told him not to do so, but to come close up to me, because that old man was afraid of him and went away at once. So Felice drew near to bed. I touched him, and it seemed to me that the infuriated old man withdrew, so I prayed him not to leave me for a second. When Maestro Francesco appeared he said that it was his dearest wish to save my life, and that he had never in all his days seen greater force in a young man than I had. Then he sat down to write, and prescribed for me perfumes, lotions, unctions, plasters, and a heap of other precious things. Meanwhile I came to life again by the means of more than twenty leeches applied to my buttocks, but with my body bore through, bound, and ground to powder. Many of my friends crowded in to behold the miracle of the resuscitated dead man, and among them people of the first importance. In their presence I declared that the small amount of gold and money I possessed, perhaps some eight hundred crowns, with what gold, silver, jewels, and cash, should be given by my will to my poor sister in Florence, called Mona Lippurata. All the remainder of my property, summer and everything besides, I left to my dearest Felice, together with fifty golden dockets in order that he might buy morning. At these words Felice flung his arms around my neck, protesting that he wanted nothing but to have me, as he wished, alive with him. Then I said, if you want me alive touch me as you did before, and threaten the old man, for he is afraid of you. At these words some of the folk were terrified, knowing that I was not raving, but talking to the purpose and with all my wits. Once my wretched malady went dragging on, and I got but little better. Mysore Francesco, that most excellent man, came four or five times a day. Messer Giovanni Gotti, who felt ashamed, did not visit me again. My brother-in-law, the husband of my sister, arrived. He came from Florence for the inheritance. But as he was a very worthy man, he rejoiced exceedingly to have found me alive. The sight of him did me a world of good, and he began to caress me at once, saying he had only come to take care of me in person, and this he did for several days. Afterwards I sent him away, having almost certain hope of my recovery. On this occasion he left the sonnet of Messer Benedetto Varchi, which runs as follows. Who shall, Matteo, yield our pain-relief? Who shall forbid the sad expense of tears? Alas, it is true that in his youthful years our friend hath flown and left us here to grieve. He hath gone up to heaven, who was the chief of men renowned in arts and mortal spheres. Among the mighty dead he had no peers, nor shall earth see his like in my belief. O gentle sprite, if love still sway the blessed, look down on him, thou hear dits love, and view these tears that mourn my loss, not thy great good. There dost thou gaze on his beatitude, who made our universe, and find his true, the form of him thy skill for men expressed. CHAPTERS 81 THRU 84 My sickness had been of such a very serious nature, that it seemed impossible for me to fling it off, that worthy man, Maestro Francesco da Norcia, redoubled his efforts, and brought me every day fresh remedies, trying to restore strength to my miserable, unstrung frame. Yet all these endeavours were apparently insufficient to overcome the obstinacy of my melody, so that the physicians were in despair, and at their wits' end, what to do? I was tormented by thirst, but had abstained from drinking for many days according to the doctor's orders. Felice, who thought he had done wonders in restoring me, never left my side, that old man ceased to give so much annoyance, yet sometimes he appeared to me in dreams. One day, Felice had gone out of doors, leaving me under the care of a young apprentice, and a servant maid called Beatrice. I asked the apprentice what had become of my lad, Centscio, and what was the reason why I had never seen him in attendance on me. The boy replied that Centscio had been far more ill than I was, and that he was even at death's door. Felice had given them orders not to speak to me of this. On hearing the news, I was exceedingly distressed. Then I called the maid Beatrice, a Pistoian girl, and asked her to bring me a great crystal water cooler which stood near, full of clear and fresh water. She ran at once and brought it to me full. I told her to put it to my lips, adding that if she let me take a draft according to my heart's content, I would give her a new gown. This maid had stolen from me certain little things of some importance, and in her fear of being detected, she would have been very glad if I had died. Accordingly, she allowed me twice to take as much as I could of the water, so that in good earnest, I swallowed more than a flask full. I then covered myself and began to sweat, and fell into a deep sleep. After I had slept about an hour, Felice came home and asked the boy how I was getting on. He answered, I do not know. Beatrice brought him that cooler full of water, and he has drunk almost the whole of it. I don't know now whether he is alive or dead. They say that my poor friend was on the point of falling to the ground. So grieved was he to hear this. Afterwards, he took an ugly state and began to beat the serving girl with all his might, shouting out, Ah, Tratrice, you have killed him for me then. While Felice was cuddling and she screaming, I was in a dream. I thought the old man held ropes in his hand, and while he was preparing to bind me, Felice had arrived and struck him with an X, so that the old man flat exclaiming, Let me go, and I promised not to return for a long while. Beatrice in the meantime had run into my bedroom shrieking loudly. This woke me up, and I called out, Leave her alone. Perhaps when she met to do me harm, she did me more good than you were able to do with all your efforts. She may indeed have saved my life, so lend me a helping hand, for I have sweated, and be quick about it. Felice recovered his spirits, dried, and made me comfortable, and I, being conscious of a great improvement in my state, began to reckon on recovery. When Maestro Francesco appeared and saw my great improvement, and the serving girl in tears, and the apprentice running to and fro, and Felice laughing, all this disturbance made him think that something extraordinary must have happened, which had been the cause of my amendment. Just then, the other doctor, Bernardino, put in his appearance, who at the beginning of my illness, had refused to bleed me. Maestro Francesco, that most able man, exclaimed, Oh, power of nature, she knows what she requires, and the physicians know nothing. That simpleton, Maestro Bernardino, made answer saying, if he had drunk another bottle, he would have been cured upon the spot. Maestro Francesco da Norcia, a man of age and great authority, said, That would have been a terrible misfortune, and would to God that it may fall on you. Afterwards, he turned to me, and asked if I could have drunk more water, I answered. No, because I had entirely quenched my thirst. Then he turned to Maestro Bernardino, and said, Look, you, how nature has taken precisely what she wanted, neither more nor less. In like manner, she was asking for what she wanted, when the poor young man begged you to bleed him. If you knew that his recovery depended upon his drinking two flasks of water, why did you not say so before? You might then have boasted of his cure. At this words, the wretched quack sulkily deported, and never showed his face again. Maestro Francesco then gave orders that I should be removed from my room, and carried to one of the hills there are in Rome. Cardinal Coronaro, when he heard of my improvement, had me transported to a place of his on Monte Cavallo. The very evening, I was taken with great precautions in a chair, well wrapped up, and protected from the cold. No sooner had I reached a place, then I began to vomit, during which there came from my stomach a hairy worm, about a quarter of a cubit in length. The hairs were long, and the worm was very ugly, speckled of diverse colors, green, black, and red. The captain showed it to the doctor, who said he had never seen anything of the sort before, and afterwards remarked to Felice, now take care of your benvenuto, for he is cured. Do not permit him any irregularities, for though he has escaped this time, another disorder now would be the death of him. You see his melody has been so grave, that if we had brought him the extreme unction, we might not have been in time. Now I know that with the little patience and time, he will leave to execute more of his fine works. Then he turned to me and said, my benvenuto, be prudent, commit no excesses, and when you are quite recovered, I beg you to make me a Madonna with your own hand, and I will always pay my devotions to it for your sake. This I promise to do, and then ask him whether it would be safe for me to travel so far as to Florence. He advised me to wait till I was stronger, until we could observe how nature worked in me. Chapter 86, when eight days had come and gone, my amendment was so slight, that life itself became almost a burden to me. Indeed, I had been more than 50 days in that great suffering. So I made my mind up and prepared to travel. My dear Felice, and I went toward Florence in a pair of baskets, and as I had not written, when I reached my sister's house, she wept and laughed over me all in one breath. That day, many friends came to see me, among others, Pierre Landy, who was the best and dearest friend I ever had. Next day, there came a certain Niccolò da Monte Aguto, who was also a very great friend of mine. Now he had heard the dupe say, Ben Venuto would have done much better to die, because he is come to put his head into a noose, and I will never pardon him. Accordingly, when Niccolò arrived, he said to me in desperation, Alas, my dear Ben Venuto, what have you come to do here? Did you not know what you have done to displease the duke? I have heard him swear that you were thrusting your head into a halter. Then I replied, Niccolò, remind his excellency that Pope Clament wanted to do as much to me before, and quite as unjustly. Tell him to keep his eye on me, and give me time to recover. Then I will show his excellency that I have been the most faithful servant he will ever have in all his life. And for as much as some enemy must have served me this bad turn through envy, let him wait till I get well, for I shall then be able to give such an account of myself, as will make him marvel. This bad turn had been done me by Giorgetto Vassillario of Arezzo, the painter, perchance in recompense for many benefits conferred on him. I had harbored him in Rome, and provided for his costs, while he had turned my whole house upside down. For the man was subject to a species of dry scab, which he was always in the habit of scratching with his hands. It happened then that sleeping in the same bed as an excellent workman named Manno, who was in my service. When he meant to scratch himself, he tore the skin from one of Manno's legs with his filthy claws, the nails of which he never used to cut. The said Manno left my service, and was resolutely bent on killing him. I made the quarrel up, and afterwards got Giorgio into Cardinal de Medici's household, and continually helped him. For this desert then, he told Duke Alessandro that I had abused his excellency, and had bred I meant to be the first to leap upon the walls of Florence, with his foes the exiles. These words, as I afterwards learned, had been put into Vasari's lips by the excellent fellow Ottaviano de Medici, who wanted to revenge himself for the Duke's irritation against him, on account of the coinage and my departure from Florence. I, being innocent of the crime falsely ascribed to me, felt no fear whatever. Meanwhile, that able physician Francesco D'Amonte Varchi attended to my cure, with great skill. He had been brought by my very dear friend, Luca Martini, who passed the larger portion of the day with me. Chapter 87 During this, while I had sent my devoted comrade Felice back to Rome to look after our business there, when I could raise my head a little from the bolster, which was at the end of 15 days, although I was unable to walk upon my feet, I had myself carried to the place of the Medici, and placed upon the little upper terrace. There, they seated me to wait until the Duke went by. Many of my friends at court came up to greet me, and expressed surprise that I had undergone the inconvenience of being carried in that way. While so shattered by illness, they said that I ought to have waited till I was well, and then to have visited the Duke. A crowd of them collected, all looking at me as a sort of miracle, not merely because they had heard that I was dead, but far more because I had the look of a dead man. Then publicly before them all, I said how some wicked scoundrel had told my lord the Duke that I had, brand I meant to be the first to scale his excellencies' walls, and also that I had abused him personally, wherefore I had not the heart to live or die, till I had purged myself of that infamy, and found out who the audacious Rascal was, who had uttered such calamities against me. At this words, a large number of those gentlemen came round, expressing great compassion for me, one said one thing, one another, and I told them I would never go thence before I knew who had accused me. At this words, Maestro Agostino, the Duke's tailor, made his way through all those gentlemen and said, if that's all you want to know, you shall know it at this very moment. George the painter, whom I have mentioned, happened just then to pass, and Maestro Agostino exclaimed, there is the man who accused you. Now you know yourself if it be true or not, as fiercely as I could, not being able to leave my seed, I asked George if it was true that he had accused me, he denied that it was so, and that he had ever said anything of the sort. Maestro Agostino retorted, you gallows bird, don't you know that I know it for most certain? George made off as quickly as he could, repeating that he had not accused me. Then after a short while, the Duke came by, whereupon I had myself raised up before his excellency, and he halted. I told him that I had come therein that way, solely in order to clear my character. The Duke gazed at me, and marveled I was still alive. Afterwards he bade me take heed to be an honest man and regain my health. When I reached home, Niccolò da Monte Aguto came to visit me, and told me that I had escaped one of the most dreadful perils in the world. Quite contrary to all his expectations, for he had seen my ruin written with indelible ink. Now I must make haste to get well, and afterwards take French leave, because my jeopardy came from a quarter and a man who was able to destroy me. He then said, beware, and added, what displeasure have you given to that rascal Ottaviano de Medici? I answered that I had done nothing to displease him, but that he had injured me, and told him all the affair about the mint. He repeated, get hence as quickly as you can, and be of good courage. For you will see your vengeance executed sooner than you expect. I, the best attention to my health, gave Pietro Pagolo advice about stamping the coins, and then went off upon my way to Rome, without saying a word to the Duke or anybody else. Chapter 88. When I reached Rome, and had enjoyed the company of my friends a while, I began the Duke's Medal. I finished the head in steel, and it was the finest work of the kind which I had ever produced. At least once every day, they came to visit me a sword of blockhead named Messer Francesco Soderini. When he saw what I was doing, he used frequently to exclaim, barbarous wretch. You want them to immortalize that ferocious tyrant? You have never made anything so exquisite, which proves you our inveterate foe, and their devoted friend. And yet the Pope, and he have had it twice in mind, to hang you without any fault of yours. That was the father and the son. Now beware of the Holy Ghost. It was firmly believed that Duke Alessandro was the son of Pope Clement. Messer Francesco used also to say, and swear by all his saints, that if he could, he would have robbed me of the dice for that medal. I responded that he had done well to tell me so, and that I would take such care of them, that he should never see them more. I now send to Florence to request Lorenzino, that he would send me the reverse of the medal. Niccolò da Monte Aguto, to whom I had written, wrote back, saying that he had spoken to that mad melancholy philosopher Lorenzino for it. He had replied that he was thinking night and day of nothing else, and that he would finish it as soon as he was able. Nevertheless, I was not to set my hopes upon his reverse, but I had better invent one out of my own head, and when I had finished it, I might bring it without hesitation to the Duke. For this would be to my advantage. I composed the design of a reverse, which seemed to me appropriate and pressed the work forward to my best ability. Not being, however, yet recovered from that terrible illness, I gave myself frequent relaxation by going out on fouling expeditions with my friend Felice. This man had no skill in my art, but since we were perpetually day and night together, everybody thought he was a first-rate craftsman. This being so, as he was a fellow of much humour, we used often to laugh together about the great credit he had gained. His name was Felice Guadagni, which made him say in jest, I should be called Felice gain little. If you had not enabled me to acquire such credit, then I can call myself gain much. I replied that there are two ways of gaining. The first is that by which one gains for oneself. The second that by which one gains for others. So I praised him much more for the second than the first, since he had gained for me my life. We often held such conversations, but I remember one in particular on the day of epiphany, when we were together near La Maliana. It was close upon nightfall and during the day, I had shot a good number of ducks and geese. Then as I had almost made my mind up to shoot no more that time, we were returning briskly toward Rome. Calling to my dog by his name Barucco and not seeing him in front of me, I turned round and noticed that the well-trained animal was pointing at some geese which had settled in the ditch. I therefore dismounted at once, got my fouling peas ready and at a very long range brought two of them down with a single ball. I never used to shoot with more than one ball and was usually able to hit my mark at 200 qubits, which cannot be done by other ways of loading. Of the two geese, one was almost dead and the other though badly wounded was flying lamely. My dog retrieved the one and brought it to me, but noticing that the other was diving down into the ditch, I sprang forward to catch it, trusting to my boots which came high up the lake. I put one foot forward. It sank in the oozy ground and so although I got the goose, the boot of my right leg was full of water. I lifted my foot and let the water run out. Then when I had mounted, we made haste for Rome. The cold however was very great and I felt my leg freeze so that I said to Felice, we must do something to help this lake for I don't know how to bear it longer. The good Felice without a word leapt from his horse and gathering some thistles and bits of stick began to build a fire. I meanwhile was waiting and put my hands among the breast feathers of the geese and felt them very warm. So I told him not to make the fire, but filled my boot with the feathers of the goose and was immediately so much confident that I regained vitality. End of chapters 85 through 88 of the autobiography of Ben Venuto Cellini volume 1, recording by P. Patz. The autobiography of Ben Venuto Cellini volume 1. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org recording by P. Patz. The autobiography of Ben Venuto Cellini volume 1 translated by John Eddington Simons chapters 89 through 92. Chapter 89. We mounted and rode rapidly toward Rome and when we had reached a certain gently rising ground, night had already fallen looking in the direction of Florence, both with one breath exclaimed in the utmost astonishment. Oh God of heaven, what is that great thing one sees there over Florence? It resembled a huge beam of fire, which sparkled and gave our extraordinary laughter. I said to Felice, Astridly we shall hear tomorrow that something of vast importance has happened in Florence. As we rode into Rome, the darkness was extreme and when we came near the Bunky and our own house, my little horse was going in an amble at a furious speed. Now that day they had thrown a heap of plaster and broken tiles in the middle of the road, which neither my horse nor myself perceived. In his fiery pace, the beast ran up it, but on coming down upon the other side, he turned a complete somersault. He had his head between his legs and it was only through the power of God himself that I escaped unhurt. The noise we made brought the neighbors out with lights, but I had already jumped to my feet. And so without remounting, I ran home laughing to have come unhurt out of an accident enough to break my neck. On entering the house, I found some friends of mine there, to whom while we were supping together, I related the adventures of the day's chase and the diabolical apparition of the fiery beam which we had seen. They exclaimed, why shall we hear tomorrow which this portent has announced? I answered, some revolution must certainly have occurred in Florence, so we subbed agreeably, and late the next day there came the news to Rome of Duke Alessandro's death. Upon this many of my acquaintances came to me and said, you were right in conjecturing that something of great importance had happened at Florence. Just then, Francesco Soderini appeared jogging along upon a wretched meal he had. And laughing all the way like a madman, he said to me, this is the reverse of that vile tyrant's medal which your Lorenzino de Medici promised you. Then he added, you wanted to immortalize the dupes for us, but we mean to have no more dupes. And thereupon he jeered me, as though I had been the captain of the factions which make dupes. Meanwhile, a certain Baccio Bettini, who had an ugly big head like a bushel, came up and began to banter me in the same way about dupes, calling out, we have disduced them and won't have any more of them, and you were for making them immortal for us, with many other tiresome quips of the same kind. I lost my patience at this nonsense, and said to them, you blockheads, I am a poor goldsmith, who serve whoever pays me, and you are jeering me as though I were a party leader. However, this shall not make me cast in your teeth the insatiable greediness idiocy, and good for nothingness of your predecessors. But this one answer I will make to all your silly relaries that before two or three days at the longest have passed by, you will have another duke much worse, perhaps than he who now has left you. The following day, Bettini came to my shop and said, there is no need to spend money in couriers, for you know things before they happen. What spirit tells them to you? Then he informed me that Cosimo de Medici, the son of Senor Giovanni, was made duke, but that certain conditions had been imposed at his election, which would hold him back from kicking up his heels at his own pleasure. I now had my opportunity for laughing at them, and saying, those men of Florence have set a young man upon a meadowsome horse, next they have buckled spurs upon his heels, and put the bridle freely in his hands, and turned him out upon a magnificent field, full of flowers and fruits, and all delightful things. Next they have beaten him not to cross certain indicated limits. Now tell me you, who there is that can hold him back whenever he has but the mind to cross them? Laws cannot be imposed on him, who is the master of the law. So they left me alone and gave me no further annoyance. Chapter 90, I now began to attend to my shop, and did some business, not however of much moment, because I had still to think about my health, which was not yet established after that grave illness I had undergone. About this time, the Emperor returned victorious from his expedition against Tunis, and the Pope sent for me to take my advice concerning the present of honour it was fit to give him. I answered that it seemed to me most appropriate to present his imperial majesty with the golden crucifix for which I had almost finished an ornament quite to the purpose, and which would confer the highest honour upon his holiness and me. I had already made three little figures of gold in the round, about a palm high, they were those which I had begun for the shallows of Pope Clement, representing faith, hope and charity. To this I added in wax what was wanting for the basement of the cross. I carried the whole to the pope with the Christ in wax, and many other exquisite decorations which gave him complete satisfaction. Before I took leave of his holiness, we had agreed on every detail, and calculated the price of the work. This was one evening four hours after nightfall, and the Pope had ordered Messer Latino Giubinale to see that I had money paid to me next morning. This Messer Latino, who had a pretty big dash of the fool in his composition, thought him of furnishing the pope with a new idea, which was however wholly of his own invention. So he altered everything which had been arranged, and next morning, when I went for the money, he said with his usual brutal arrogance, it is our part to invent and yours to execute. Before I left the pope last night, we thought of something far superior. To these first words, I answered without allowing him to proceed further. Neither you nor the pope can think of anything better than a piece of which Christ plays a part. So you may go on with your courteous nonsense, till you have no more to say. Without uttering one word, he left me in a rage, and tried to get the work given to another goldsmith. The pope however refused, and sent for me at once, and told me I had spoken well, but that they wanted to make use of a book of ours of Our Lady, which was marvelously illuminated, and had cost the cardinal de Medici more than 2,000 crowns. They thought that this would be an appropriate present to the emperors, and that for the emperor, they would afterwards make what I had suggested, which was indeed a present worthy of him. But now there was no time to lose, since the emperor was expected in Rome in about a month and a half. He wanted the pope to be enclosed in a case of massive gold, richly worked and adorned with jewels valued at about 6,000 crowns. Accordingly, when the jewels and the gold were given me, I began the work, and driving it briskly forward in a few days brought it to such beauty that the pope was astonished, and showed me the most distinguished signs of favour, conceding at the same time that that beast juvenile should have nothing more to do with me. I had nearly brought my work to its completion when the emperor arrived, and numerous triumphal arches of great magnificence were erected in his honour. He entered Rome with extraordinary pomp, the description of which I leave to others, since I mean to treat of those things only which concern myself. Immediately after his arrival, he gave the pope a diamond which he had bought for 12,000 crowns. This diamond the pope committed to my care, ordering me to make a ring to the measure of his holiness finger. But first he wished me to bring the book in the state to which I had advanced it. I took it accordingly, and he was highly pleased with it. Then he asked my advice concerning the apology which could be reasonably made to the emperor for the unfinished condition of my work. I said that my indisposition would furnish a sound excuse, since his majesty, seeing how thin and pale I was, would very readily believe and accept it. To this the pope replied that he approved of the suggestion, but that I should add on the part of his holiness, when I presented the book to the emperor, that I made him the present of myself. Then he told me in detail how I had to behave, and the words I had to say. These words are repeated to the pope, asking him if he wished me to deliver them in that way. He replied, you would acquit yourself to admiration if you had the courage to address the emperor as you are addressing me. Then I said that I had the courage to speak with far greater ease and freedom to the emperor seeing that the emperor was closed as I was, and that I should seem to be speaking to a man formed like myself. This was not the case when I addressed his holiness, in whom I beheld a far superior deity, both by reason of his ecclesiastical adornments, which shared a certain aureole about him, and at the same time, because of his holiness, dignity of venerable age. All these things inspired in me more all than the imperial majesty. To these words the pope responded, go my benvenuto, you are a man of ability, do us honor, and it will be well for you. Chapter 91. The pope ordered out two turkish horses, which had belonged to pope Clement, and were the most beautiful that ever came to Christendom. Messer Durante, his chamberlain, was bidden to bring them through the lower galleries of the palace, and there to give them to the emperor, repeating certain words which his holiness dictated to him. We both went down together, and when we reached the presence of the emperor, the horses made their entrance through those halls with so much spirit and such a noble carriage that the emperor and everyone were struck with wonder. Thereupon, Messer Durante advanced him so graceless a manner, and delivered his speech with so much abrasion lingo, mumbling his words over in his mouth, that one never saw or heard anything worse. Indeed the emperor could not refrain from smiling at him. I meanwhile had already uncovered my peace, and observing that the emperor had turned his eyes towards me with a very gracious look. I advanced at once and said, Sacred Majesty, our most holy father, Pope Paolo, sends this book of the Virgin as a present to your majesty, the which he is written in the fair club's hand, and illuminated by the greatest master, whoever professed that art and this rich cover of gold and jewels is unfinished. As you here behold it, by reason of my illness, wherefore his holiness, together with the book, presents me also, and attaches me to your majesty in order that I may complete the work, nor this alone, but everything which you may have it in your mind to execute so long as life is left me. Will I perform at your service? There too the emperor responded, the book is acceptable to me, and so are you, but I desire you to complete it for me in Rome. When it is finished and you are restored to health, bring it me and come to see me. Afterwards, in course of conversation, he called me by my name, which made me wonder, because no words had been dropped in which my name occurred, and he said that he had seen that fastening of Pope Clement's cope on which I had brought so many wonderful figures. We continued talking in this way a whole half hour, touching on diverse topics artistic and agreeable. Then, since it seemed to me that I had acquitted myself with more honour than I had expected, I took the occasion of a slight lull in the conversation to make my bow and to retire. The emperor was heard to say, let 500 golden crowns be given at once to benvenuto. The person who brought them up asked who the pope's man was, who had spoken to the emperor. Mesa Durante came forward and robbed me of my 500 crowns. I complained to the pope, who told me not to be uneasy, for he knew how everything had happened, and how well I had conducted myself in addressing the emperor, and of the money I should certainly obtain my share. Chapter 92. When I returned to my shop, I set my hand with diligence to finishing the diamond ring, concerning which the four first jewelers of Rome were sent to consult with me. This was because the pope had been informed that the diamond had been set by the first jeweler of the world in Venice. He was called Maestro Miliano Targetta, and the diamond being somewhat thin, the job of setting it was too difficult to be attempted without great deliberation. I was well pleased to receive these four jewelers, among whom was a man of Milan called Gaio. He was the most presumptuous donkey in the world, the one who knew least and who thought he knew most. The others were very modest and able craftsmen. In the presence of us all, this Gaio began to talk and said, Miliano's foil should be preserved, and to do that, benvenuto, you shall doff your cap. For just as giving diamonds a tint is the most delicate and difficult thing in the jeweler's art, so is Miliano the greatest jeweler that ever lived, and this is the most difficult diamond to tint. I replied that it was all the greater glory for me to compete with so able a master in such an excellent profession. Afterwards, I turned to the other jewelers and said, look here, I am keeping Miliano's foil, and I will see whether I can improve on it with some of my own manufacture. If not, we will tint it with the same you see here, that as Gaio exclaimed that if I made a foil like that, he would gladly doff his cap to it. To which I replied, supposing then I make it better, it will deserve two vows. Certainly so, said he, and I began to compose my foils. I took the very greatest paints in mixing the tints, the method of doing which I will explain in the proper place. It is certain that the diamond in question offered more difficulties than any others which before or afterwards have come into my hands, and Miliano's foil was made with true artistic skill. However, that did not dismay me, but having sharpened my wits up, I succeeded not only in making something quite as good, but in exceeding it by far. Then, when I saw that I had surpassed him, I went about to surpass myself, and produced a foil by new processes which was a long way better than what I had previously made. Thereupon I sensed for the jewelers, and first I tinted the diamond with Miliano's foil, then I cleaned it well and tinted it afresh with my own. When I showed it to the jewelers, one of the best among them, who was called Raphael de Moro, took the diamond in his hand and said to Gayo, Benvenuto has outdone the foil of Miliano. Gayo unwilling to believe it, took the diamond and said, Benvenuto, this diamond is worth 2,000 ducats, more than with the foil of Miliano. I rejoined. Now that I have surpassed Miliano, let us see if I can surpass myself. Then I begged them to wait for me a while. Went up into a little cabinet, and having tinted the diamond anew, unseen by them, we turned and showed it to the jewelers. Gayo broke out at once. This is the most marvelous thing that I have ever seen in the course of my whole life time. The stone is worth upwards of 18,000 crowns, whereas we valued it at barely 12,000. The other jewelers turned to him and said, Benvenuto is the glory of our art, and it is only due that we should doff our caps to him and to his foils. Then Gayo said, I shall go and tell the Pope, and I mean to procure for him 1,000 golden crowns for the setting of this diamond. Accordingly, he hurried to the Pope, and told him the whole story, whereupon his holiness sent three times on that day to see if the ring was finished. At 23 o'clock, I took the ring to the palace, and since the doors were always open to me, I lifted the curtain gently, and saw the Pope in private audience, with the Marchese del Guasto. The Marchese must have been pressing something on the Pope, which he was unwilling to perform, for I heard him say, I tell you no, it is my business to remain neutral, and nothing else. I was retiring as quickly as I could when the Pope himself called me back, so I entered the room and presented the diamond ring upon which he drew me aside, and the Marchese retired to a distance. While looking at the diamond, the Pope whispered to me, benvenuto, begin some conversation with me on a subject which shall seem important, and do not stop talking so long as the Marchese remains in this room. Then he took to walking up and down, and the occasion making for my advantage. I was very glad to discourse with him. Upon the methods I had used to tint the stone, the Marchese remained standing apart, leaning against a piece of tapestry, and now he balanced himself about on one foot, now on the other. The subject I had chosen to discourse upon was of such importance, if fully treated, that I could have talked about it at least three hours. The Pope was entertained to such a degree that he forgot the annoyance of the Marchese standing there. I seasoned what I had to say with that part of natural philosophy, which belongs to our profession, and so having spoken for near upon an hour, the Marchese grew tired of waiting and went off filming. Then the Pope is told of me the most familiar caresses which can be imagined, and exclaimed, have patience my dear benvenuto, for I will give you a better reward for your virtues than the thousand crowns which Gaio tells me your work is worth. On this I took my leave, and the Pope praised me in the presence of his household, among whom was the fellow Latino juvenale, whom I had previously mentioned. This man, having become my enemy, assiduously strove to do me hurt, and noticing that the Pope talked of me with so much affection and warmth, he put in his word. There is no doubt at all that benvenuto is a person of very remarkable genius, but while everyone is naturally bound to feel more goodwill for his own countrymen than for others, still one ought to consider maturely what language it is right and proper to use when speaking of a Pope. He has had the audacity to say that Pope Clement indeed was the handsomest sovereign that ever reigned, and no less gifted, only that luck was always against him, and he says that your holiness is quite the opposite, that the tiara seems to weep for rage upon your head, that you look like a truss of straw with clothes on, and that there is nothing in you except good luck. These words reported by a man who knew most excellently how to say them had such force that they gained credit with the Pope. Far from having uttered them, such things had never come into my head. If the Pope could have done so without losing credit, he would certainly have taken fierce revenge upon me. But being a man of great tact and talent, he made a show of turning it off with a laugh. Nevertheless, he harboured in his heart a deep vindictive feeling against me, of which I was not slow to be aware, since I had no longer the same easy access to his apartments as formally, but found the greatest difficulty in procuring audience. As I had now for many years been familiar with the manners of the Roman court, I conceived that someone had done me a bad turn, and on making dexterous inquiries, I was told the whole, but not the name of my calumniator. I could not imagine who the man was, had I but found him out, my vengeance would not have been measured by Troy weight. End of chapters 89 through 92 of the autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini, volume 1, Recording by P. Patz. This recording is in the public domain.