thout anything more being done, until the year 1559, at
which time the owner of the marble, having come from Carrara, asked to
be paid the rest of the money, saying that otherwise he would give
back the fifty crowns and break it into several pieces, in order to
sell it, since he had received many offers. Orders were given by the
Duke to Giorgio Vasari that he should have the marble paid for; which
having been heard throughout the world of art, and also that the Duke
had not yet made a free gift of the marble to Baccio, Benvenuto, and
likewise Ammanati, bestirring themselves, each besought the Duke that
he should be allowed to make a model in competition with Baccio, and
that his Excellency should deign to give the marble to him who had
shown the greatest ability in his model. The Duke did not deny to
either of them the right to make a model, or deprive them of the hope
that he who should acquit himself the best might be chosen to execute
the statue. His Excellency knew that in ability, judgment, and design
Baccio was still better than any of the sculptors who were in his
service, if only he would consent to take pains, and he welcomed this
competition, in order to incite Baccio to acquit himself better and
to do the most that he could. Bandinelli, having seen this competition
on his shoulders, was greatly troubled by it, fearing the loss of the
Duke's favour more than any other thing, and once more he set himself
to making models. He was most assiduous in waiting on the Duchess, and
so wrought upon her, that he obtained leave to go to Carrara in order
to make arrangements for having the marble brought to Florence. Having
arrived in Carrara, he had the marble so reduced in size--as he had
planned to do--that he made it a sorry thing, and robbed both himself
and the others of a noble opportunity and of the hope of ever making
from it a beautiful and magnificent work. On returning to Florence,
there was a long contention between Benvenuto and him, Benvenuto
saying to the Duke that Baccio had spoilt the marble before it had
been assigned to him. Finally the Duchess so went to work that the
marble became Baccio's; and orders were given that it should be taken
from Carrara to the sea-shore, and a boat was made ready with the
proper appliances, which was to convey it up the Arno as far as Signa.
Baccio also caused a room to be built up in the Loggia of the Piazza,
wherein to work at the marble.

In the meantime he had set his