The Marchioness
rose to receive him, and remained standing awhile before causing him to
take a seat between her and M. Lactancio. I sat a little way off, but the
Marchioness, remaining awhile without speaking, not wishing to delay her
practice of honouring those who conversed with her, and the place where
she was, commenced, with an art that I could not describe, to say many
things very well expressed, and with thoughts most graciously stated,
without ever touching on painting, in order to ensure the great painter to
us; and I saw her as one wishing to reduce a well armed city by discretion
and guile; and we saw the painter, too, standing watchful and vigilant, as
if he were besieged, placing sentries in one place and ordering bridges to
be raised in another, making mines and defending all the walls and towers;
but finally the Marchioness had to conquer, nor do I know who could defend
himself against her.
She said: "It is known that whoever comes into conflict with M. Angelo in
his own speciality, which is discretion, cannot but be vanquished. It is
necessary, M. Lactancio, that we should talk with him about actions or
briefs or painting to put him to silence and to obtain any advantage over
him."
"Nay," I then said, "I know of no better way of wearying M. Angelo than by
informing him that I am here, as he has not seen me hitherto. But I
already know that the way not to see a person is to have him before one's
eyes."
You should then have seen Michael turn himself towards me with
astonishment, and say:
"Forgive me, M.
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