DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32874#0276
230 LIFE OF BENVENUTO CELLINI [BK. 11
lighting and not for statue making. Besides, since His
Majesty had granted a similar thing to his painter
Bolognia, I therefore most devoutly besought him that
he would be pleased to make me also worthy of it. The
King, whilst I uttered these words, regarded with very
close attention those two vases, and from time to time
pierced me with a terrible look: I, however, to the best of
my power and knowledge besought him that he would
grant me this particular favour. All of a sudden I saw
that he was in a violent rage, and, rising from his seat, he
said to me in the Italian language: " Benvenuto, you are
a great fool. Carry those vases to Paris, for I want them
gilded:" and giving me no other answer, he departed.
I approached the Cardinal of Ferrara, who was present,
and I begged him that, since he had done me so great a
kindness as to free me from the prison of Rome, together
with so many other benefits besides, he would also
oblige me in this matter that I might go as far as Italy.
The said Cardinal told me that he would very willingly
do all that he could to give me that satisfaction, and
that I might freely leave the charge of it to him; and
also, if I wished I might go freely, for he would arrange
it very well on my behalf with the King. I told the
said Cardinal that since I knew that His Majesty
had given me into the charge of His Most Reverend
Lordship, if he gave me permission I would gladly
depart, to return upon the slightest hint from His Most
Reverend Lordship. Thereupon the Cardinal told me to
go to Paris, and stop there eight days; and that during
this period he would obtain the favour from the King
that I might go: and in case the King were not willing
that I should depart, without any fail he would inform
lighting and not for statue making. Besides, since His
Majesty had granted a similar thing to his painter
Bolognia, I therefore most devoutly besought him that
he would be pleased to make me also worthy of it. The
King, whilst I uttered these words, regarded with very
close attention those two vases, and from time to time
pierced me with a terrible look: I, however, to the best of
my power and knowledge besought him that he would
grant me this particular favour. All of a sudden I saw
that he was in a violent rage, and, rising from his seat, he
said to me in the Italian language: " Benvenuto, you are
a great fool. Carry those vases to Paris, for I want them
gilded:" and giving me no other answer, he departed.
I approached the Cardinal of Ferrara, who was present,
and I begged him that, since he had done me so great a
kindness as to free me from the prison of Rome, together
with so many other benefits besides, he would also
oblige me in this matter that I might go as far as Italy.
The said Cardinal told me that he would very willingly
do all that he could to give me that satisfaction, and
that I might freely leave the charge of it to him; and
also, if I wished I might go freely, for he would arrange
it very well on my behalf with the King. I told the
said Cardinal that since I knew that His Majesty
had given me into the charge of His Most Reverend
Lordship, if he gave me permission I would gladly
depart, to return upon the slightest hint from His Most
Reverend Lordship. Thereupon the Cardinal told me to
go to Paris, and stop there eight days; and that during
this period he would obtain the favour from the King
that I might go: and in case the King were not willing
that I should depart, without any fail he would inform