ted in the same place, since the most that
one could say would be too little, it is better to pass them over in
silence rather than seek to attempt the impossible. And what should I
say of the various kinds of fruits and flowers without number that are
there, in all the forms, varieties, and colours that Nature contrives to
produce in all parts of the world and in all the seasons of the year?
What, likewise, of the various musical instruments that are there, all
as real as the reality? And who does not know as a matter of common
knowledge that--Giovanni having painted at the head of the Loggia, where
the Pope had not yet determined what should be done in the way of
masonry, some balusters to accompany the real ones of the Loggia, and
over them a carpet--who, I say, does not know that one day, a carpet
being urgently required for the Pope, who was going to the Belvedere, a
groom, who knew not the truth of the matter, ran from a distance to take
one of those painted carpets, being completely deceived? In short, it
may be said, without offence to other craftsmen, that of all works of
the kind this is the most beautiful, the most rare, and the most
excellent painting that has ever been seen by mortal eye. And, in
addition, I will make bold to say that this work has been the reason
that not Rome only but also all the other parts of the world have been
filled with this kind of painting, for, besides that Giovanni was the
restorer and almost the inventor of grotesques in stucco and of other
kinds, from this his work, which is most beautiful, whoever has wished
to execute such things has taken his exemplar; not to mention that the
young men that assisted Giovanni, who were many, and even, what with one
time and another, innumerable, learned from the true master and filled
every province with them.

Then, proceeding to execute the first range below those Loggie, Giovanni
used another and quite different method in the distribution of the
stucco-work and paintings on the walls and vaultings of the other
Loggie; but nevertheless those also were very beautiful, by reason of
the pleasing invention of the pergole of canes counterfeited in various
compartments, all covered with vines laden with grapes, and with
clematis, jasmine, roses, and various kinds of birds and beasts. Next,
Pope Leo, wishing to have painted the hall where the guard of
halberdiers have their quarters, on the level of the above-named Loggie,
Giovanni, in addition