it! But it must be done. I shall commence them to-morrow. They are
intended for the walls and ceiling of the new winter riding-school. One
person gets along slowly with all this stuff, and I--I.... The orders
oppress me. If a man could only double, quadruple himself! Diana of
Ephesus had many breasts, and Cerberus three heads, but only two hands
have grown on my wrists. I need help, and you are just the person to
give it. You have had nothing to do with horses yet, Isabella tells me;
but you are half a Centaur yourself. Set to work on the steeds now, and
when you have progressed far enough, you shall transfer these sketches
to the ceiling and walls of the riding-school. I will help you perfect
the thing, and give it the finishing touch."

This invitation aroused more perplexity than pleasure in Ulrich's
mind, for it was not in accordance with Moor's opinions. Fear of his
fellow-men no longer restrained him, so he frankly said that he would
rather sketch industriously from nature, and perhaps would do well
to seek Moor in Flanders. Besides, he was afraid that Coello greatly
overrated his powers.

But the Spaniard eagerly cut him short:

"I have seen your portrait of Sophonisba. You are no longer a pupil,
but a rising artist. Moor is a peerless portrait-painter, and you have
profited greatly by his teaching. But Art has still higher aims. Every
living thing belongs to her. The Venus, the horse... which of those two
pictures won Apelles the greater fame? Not only copying, but creating
original ideas, leads to the pinnacle of art. Moor praised your vivid
imagination. We must use what we possess. Remember Buonarotti, Raphael!
Their compositions and frescos, have raised their names above all
others. Antonio has tormented you sufficiently with drawing lifeless
things. When you transfer these sketches, many times enlarged, to
a broad surface, you will learn more than in years of copying
plaster-casts. A man must have talent, courage and industry; everything
else comes of its own accord, and thank Heaven, you're a lucky fellow!
Look at my horses--they are not so bad, yet I never sketched a
living one in my life till I was commissioned to paint His Majesty on
horseback. You shall have a better chance. Go to the stables and the old
riding-school to-morrow. First try noble animals, then visit the market
and shambles, and see how the knackers look. If you make good speed, you
shall soon see the first ducats you yourself have earn