If you do not do so, I shall come and
settle your affairs in such a fashion that you will know what you
are better than you ever did, and will understand what you have in
the world, and it will be seen in every place where you may go. No
more. What I lack in words I will supply with deeds.
"MICHAEL ANGELO, in Rome.
[Image #19]
ATHLETE
SISTINE CHAPEL, ROME
(_By permission of the Fratelli Alinari, Florence_)
"I cannot refrain from adding two lines. It is this: I have gone
these twelve years past, drudging about through all Italy, borne
every shame, suffered every hardship, worn my body in every toil,
put my life into a thousand dangers, solely to help the fortunes
of my house, and now that I have begun to raise it up a little,
you alone choose to destroy and ruin in one hour all that I have
done in so many years, and with such labours. By Christ's body
this shall not be! for I am the man to confound ten thousand such
as you whenever it be needed. Be wise in time then, and do not try
one who has other things to vex him."
So with hindrances enough, private and public, we must imagine the great
artist climbing his scaffolding to the vault of the Pope's chapel,
followed by his assistants, and setting them their task, transferring his
full-size outline cartoons, prepared from the general designs, to the
roof.
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