DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32874#0180
142 LIFE OF BENVENUTO CELLINI [BK. 11
before him, and was selecting them as the King had told
him. From what I seemed to observe that thief of a
treasurer skilfully contrived to delay the counting of the
said money for me until the third hour of the night. I, for
I was not lacking in diligence, sent to summon certain
of those workmen of mine, to come to accompany me,
because it was a matter of considerable importance.
When I saw that these said men did not come, I de-
manded of that messenger, if he had delivered my mes-
sage. A certain thievish servant said that he had done
so, and that they had said that they could not come; but
that he would willingly carry that money for me; to
whom I replied that I wished to carry the money myself.
Meantime the contract was completed, the money
counted out and everything. I put it into the said basket,
and then thrust my arm through the two handles; and
since it passed through them with some considerable
effort it (the money) was well closed in, and I carried
it more conveniently than if it had been a small bag. I
was well armed with coat and gauntlets of mail, and
with my small sword and dagger at my side I hastily
set out upon my way on my own legs. At that moment
I saw certain servants, who whispering together also
hastily left the house, appearing to be going by another
route to that upon which I was going. I, as I was
walking along steadily, having passed the Exchange
Bridge/ came out upon the embankment of the river,
which led me to my house at Nesle. When I had come
exactly to (the Convent of) the Augustines (A^yV^f),
a very dangerous spot—for although but hve hundred
paces distant from my own house, the residential portion
* The Pont au Change.
before him, and was selecting them as the King had told
him. From what I seemed to observe that thief of a
treasurer skilfully contrived to delay the counting of the
said money for me until the third hour of the night. I, for
I was not lacking in diligence, sent to summon certain
of those workmen of mine, to come to accompany me,
because it was a matter of considerable importance.
When I saw that these said men did not come, I de-
manded of that messenger, if he had delivered my mes-
sage. A certain thievish servant said that he had done
so, and that they had said that they could not come; but
that he would willingly carry that money for me; to
whom I replied that I wished to carry the money myself.
Meantime the contract was completed, the money
counted out and everything. I put it into the said basket,
and then thrust my arm through the two handles; and
since it passed through them with some considerable
effort it (the money) was well closed in, and I carried
it more conveniently than if it had been a small bag. I
was well armed with coat and gauntlets of mail, and
with my small sword and dagger at my side I hastily
set out upon my way on my own legs. At that moment
I saw certain servants, who whispering together also
hastily left the house, appearing to be going by another
route to that upon which I was going. I, as I was
walking along steadily, having passed the Exchange
Bridge/ came out upon the embankment of the river,
which led me to my house at Nesle. When I had come
exactly to (the Convent of) the Augustines (A^yV^f),
a very dangerous spot—for although but hve hundred
paces distant from my own house, the residential portion
* The Pont au Change.