DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32873#0155
CH. iv] LIFE OF BENVENUTO CELLINI 83
bring the vase immediately the largest piece left of me
would be my ears ; and that if I brought it he would
immediately give me the sum due for it. This threat
did not cause me the least fear, and I let him know
that I was going at once to tell the Pope. However his
wrath passed away from him, and my fear from me,
under the guarantee of certain great Roman nobles that
the said (bishop) should not injure me, and, with good
security for the payment of my labours, having provided
myself with a large dagger' and my good coat of mail, I
went to the house of the said prelate, who had caused
his whole household to be drawn up in rank. As I
entered I had my Paulino beside me with the silver vase.
It was neither more nor less than like passing through
the Zodiac, for this one resembled the Lion that
the Scorpion (Skv/yCu), others the Crab until we
reached the presence of that rascal of a priest
who shouted out the most Spanish-priestly
words that it is possible to imagine.
Wherefore I never raised my head to look at him, nor
ever answered him a word. At which his anger gave signs
of increasing the more: and having directed them to bring
me writing materials, he told me to write under my own
hand, saying that I was well content and paid by him. At
this I raised my head and said that I would very willingly
do so, if first of all I had my money. The bishop's anger
increased; and his threats and abuse were terrible. In
the end I first received my money, then I wrote the
receipt, and departed happy and content. Subsequently I
^ The MS. reads here originally a pistol," but the
same hand has cancelled that word and inserted ^%4?vM:/g = "a
dagger," instead.
bring the vase immediately the largest piece left of me
would be my ears ; and that if I brought it he would
immediately give me the sum due for it. This threat
did not cause me the least fear, and I let him know
that I was going at once to tell the Pope. However his
wrath passed away from him, and my fear from me,
under the guarantee of certain great Roman nobles that
the said (bishop) should not injure me, and, with good
security for the payment of my labours, having provided
myself with a large dagger' and my good coat of mail, I
went to the house of the said prelate, who had caused
his whole household to be drawn up in rank. As I
entered I had my Paulino beside me with the silver vase.
It was neither more nor less than like passing through
the Zodiac, for this one resembled the Lion that
the Scorpion (Skv/yCu), others the Crab until we
reached the presence of that rascal of a priest
who shouted out the most Spanish-priestly
words that it is possible to imagine.
Wherefore I never raised my head to look at him, nor
ever answered him a word. At which his anger gave signs
of increasing the more: and having directed them to bring
me writing materials, he told me to write under my own
hand, saying that I was well content and paid by him. At
this I raised my head and said that I would very willingly
do so, if first of all I had my money. The bishop's anger
increased; and his threats and abuse were terrible. In
the end I first received my money, then I wrote the
receipt, and departed happy and content. Subsequently I
^ The MS. reads here originally a pistol," but the
same hand has cancelled that word and inserted ^%4?vM:/g = "a
dagger," instead.