DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32874#0377
CH. xi] LIFE OF BENVENUTO CELLINI 313
it was by these means that I executed so vast a quantity
of works of art in so short a time. Now, My Lord!
trust me, and supply me with the assistance ^ that is
needful to me, for I hope to conduct to a termination a
work of art that will please you. But if Your Most
Illustrious Excellency lower my spirits and do not
provide me with the assistance of which I have need, it
is impossible for me or any other man whatsoever in
the world to be able to carry out anything that may be
good." With great difficulty the Duke contained himself
to listen to these arguments of mine, for now he veered
in one direction and now in another; and I in
despair, poor wretch! (for I recalled the fine position that
I occupied in France) thus grieved myself. Suddenly the
Dukesaid:"Nowtellme! Benvenuto! How is it possible
that that fine head of which is raised up on
high in the hand of can ever result properly?"
Immediately I said: "Now observe, My Lord! that if
Your Most Illustrious Excellency had that knowledge
of art which you profess to have, you would have no
anxiety that the fine head of which you speak would
not succeed; but rather you would have had anxiety
regarding this right foot, which is so hidden at the
bottom." At these words of mine the Duke half-angrily
turned suddenly to certain lords who were with His
Most Illustrious Excellency, and said: "I believe that
Benvenuto here does this out of self-conceit for the sake
of contradicting everything "; and turning suddenly upon
me half in derision, whereupon all those who were present
did the same, he began to say: " I want to have sufficient
* CELLINI alludes to these supplies in his to the Duke,
dated May 30th 1548 (TASSi, <%5. cz?., Vol. Ill, p. 320).
it was by these means that I executed so vast a quantity
of works of art in so short a time. Now, My Lord!
trust me, and supply me with the assistance ^ that is
needful to me, for I hope to conduct to a termination a
work of art that will please you. But if Your Most
Illustrious Excellency lower my spirits and do not
provide me with the assistance of which I have need, it
is impossible for me or any other man whatsoever in
the world to be able to carry out anything that may be
good." With great difficulty the Duke contained himself
to listen to these arguments of mine, for now he veered
in one direction and now in another; and I in
despair, poor wretch! (for I recalled the fine position that
I occupied in France) thus grieved myself. Suddenly the
Dukesaid:"Nowtellme! Benvenuto! How is it possible
that that fine head of which is raised up on
high in the hand of can ever result properly?"
Immediately I said: "Now observe, My Lord! that if
Your Most Illustrious Excellency had that knowledge
of art which you profess to have, you would have no
anxiety that the fine head of which you speak would
not succeed; but rather you would have had anxiety
regarding this right foot, which is so hidden at the
bottom." At these words of mine the Duke half-angrily
turned suddenly to certain lords who were with His
Most Illustrious Excellency, and said: "I believe that
Benvenuto here does this out of self-conceit for the sake
of contradicting everything "; and turning suddenly upon
me half in derision, whereupon all those who were present
did the same, he began to say: " I want to have sufficient
* CELLINI alludes to these supplies in his to the Duke,
dated May 30th 1548 (TASSi, <%5. cz?., Vol. Ill, p. 320).