LXVIII. Michael Angelo had a most retentive memory, so that although he
has painted so many thousand figures, as may be seen, he has never made
one like to another, or in the same pose; indeed, I have heard him say
that if ever he draws a line which he remembers to have drawn before, he
rubs it out if it is to come before the public. He has also a most
powerful imagination, from whence it comes, firstly, that he is little
contented with his work, his hand not appearing to carry out the ideas he
has conceived in his mind. And, secondly, from the same cause (as often
happens to those who lead a peaceful and contemplative life), he has
always been somewhat timid; saving only when a just indignation against
some wrong or lapse of duty to himself or to others moves him, then he
plucks up more spirit than those who are held to be courageous; otherwise
he is of a most patient disposition. Of his modesty it is not possible to
say as much as he deserves; and so also of his manners, and his ways, they
are seasoned with pleasantries and sharp sayings: for instance, his
conversation at Bologna with a certain gentleman, who, seeing the mere
largeness and mass of the bronze statue Michael Angelo had made, marvelled
and said: "_Which do you suppose to be the larger, this statue or a pair
of oxen?_" To whom Michael Angelo replied: "_It is according to the oxen
you mean; if it be these of Bologna doubtless they are much larger; if
ours of Florence they are much smaller.
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