DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32874#0186
148 LIFE OF BENVENUTO CELLINI [BK. 11
that they would have liked to prepare those two moulds
of my heads: for according to that method by which I
was making them it was impossible that they should
come to anything, and it was a great pity to lose such
fine works. When they let the King hear of this, His
Majesty answered that they must wait to learn, and
not seek to try to teach the master. With a loud laugh
they set up their piece of work in the furnace
and I steadily, without any exhibition either of laughter
or of passion (though I felt it), set my two moulds on
either side of the and when our metal was thoroughly
well melted, with very great satisfaction we made a pass-
age for the said metal, and it completely hlled the mould
of the ybw: at the same time it hlled the mould of my two
heads: to such purpose that they were overjoyed and I
content: for I was glad to have given the lie to their work,
and they showed that they were very glad to have given
the lie to mine. They demanded, however, after the French
fashion with great rejoicing, something to drink: I very
willingly had a handsome breakfast prepared for them.
Then they claimed from me the money that they had bar-
gained to have, and that extra sum which I had promised
them. Upon which I said: "You are laughing over a
matter regarding which I have great fear lest you may yet
have occasion to weep: for I consider that much more
material has run into that mould of yours than should
have done: wherefore I do not want to give you more
money of that which is due to you until to-morrow."
These poor men began to think over what I had told
them, and without saying anything they went home.
When morning came they began gently to dig out the
furnace-pit: and since they could not uncover their own
that they would have liked to prepare those two moulds
of my heads: for according to that method by which I
was making them it was impossible that they should
come to anything, and it was a great pity to lose such
fine works. When they let the King hear of this, His
Majesty answered that they must wait to learn, and
not seek to try to teach the master. With a loud laugh
they set up their piece of work in the furnace
and I steadily, without any exhibition either of laughter
or of passion (though I felt it), set my two moulds on
either side of the and when our metal was thoroughly
well melted, with very great satisfaction we made a pass-
age for the said metal, and it completely hlled the mould
of the ybw: at the same time it hlled the mould of my two
heads: to such purpose that they were overjoyed and I
content: for I was glad to have given the lie to their work,
and they showed that they were very glad to have given
the lie to mine. They demanded, however, after the French
fashion with great rejoicing, something to drink: I very
willingly had a handsome breakfast prepared for them.
Then they claimed from me the money that they had bar-
gained to have, and that extra sum which I had promised
them. Upon which I said: "You are laughing over a
matter regarding which I have great fear lest you may yet
have occasion to weep: for I consider that much more
material has run into that mould of yours than should
have done: wherefore I do not want to give you more
money of that which is due to you until to-morrow."
These poor men began to think over what I had told
them, and without saying anything they went home.
When morning came they began gently to dig out the
furnace-pit: and since they could not uncover their own