DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32874#0049
CH. xxii] LIFE OF BENVENUTO CELLINI 19
blows, both upon the head, so that with the first he laid
him upon the ground, and with the second he then cut
off three fingers of his right hand, though actually aimed
at his head. He remained there as one dead. The
matter was immediately reported to the Pope, and the
Pope in a great rage, uttered these words: "Since the
King wishes him to be tried, go and give him three days
time, in which to defend his cause." They immediately
came and performed the said office, which the Pope had
committed to them. That worthy man the Castellan im-
mediately went to the Pope, and explained to him that I
was not to blame in this matter, and that I had (actually)
driven him (the boy) away. So admirably did he defend
me that he saved my life from that great wrath. Ascanio
fled to his home at Tagliacozze, and thence he wrote to
me, begging my pardon a thousand times, for he knew
that he had done wrong to add annoyances to my great
troubles; but if God should grant me grace that I might
issue from that prison, he would never more wish to leave
me. I let him know that he must pay attention to his
studies, and that if God gave me my liberty I would
by all means summon him.
blows, both upon the head, so that with the first he laid
him upon the ground, and with the second he then cut
off three fingers of his right hand, though actually aimed
at his head. He remained there as one dead. The
matter was immediately reported to the Pope, and the
Pope in a great rage, uttered these words: "Since the
King wishes him to be tried, go and give him three days
time, in which to defend his cause." They immediately
came and performed the said office, which the Pope had
committed to them. That worthy man the Castellan im-
mediately went to the Pope, and explained to him that I
was not to blame in this matter, and that I had (actually)
driven him (the boy) away. So admirably did he defend
me that he saved my life from that great wrath. Ascanio
fled to his home at Tagliacozze, and thence he wrote to
me, begging my pardon a thousand times, for he knew
that he had done wrong to add annoyances to my great
troubles; but if God should grant me grace that I might
issue from that prison, he would never more wish to leave
me. I let him know that he must pay attention to his
studies, and that if God gave me my liberty I would
by all means summon him.