y performed. I also could see that my
workpeople understood my method, which differed very considerably from
that of all the other masters in the trade. Feeling confident then
that I could rely upon them, I next turned to my furnace, which I had
filled with numerous pigs of copper and other bronze stuff. The pieces
were piled according to the laws of art; that is to say, so resting
one upon the other that the flames could play freely through them, in
order that the metal might heat and liquefy the sooner.

At last I called out heartily to set the furnace going. The logs of
pine were heaped in, and what with the unctuous resin of the wood and
the good draught I had given, my furnace worked so well that I was
obliged to rush from side to side to keep it going. The labor was more
than I could stand; yet I forced myself to strain every nerve and
muscle. To increase my anxieties, the workshop took fire, and we were
afraid lest the roofs should fall upon our heads; while from the
garden such a storm of wind and rain kept blowing in that it
perceptibly cooled the furnace.

Battling thus with all these untoward circumstances for several
hours, and exerting myself beyond even the measure of my powerful
constitution, I could at last bear up no longer, and a sudden fever of
the utmost possible intensity attacked me. I felt absolutely obliged
to go and fling myself upon my bed. Sorely against my will, having to
drag myself away from the spot, I turned to my assistants,--about ten
or more in all, what with master-founders, hand-workers, country
fellows, and my own special journeymen; among whom was Bernandino
Mannellini of Mugello, my apprentice through several years. To him in
particular I spoke:--"Look, my dear Bernandino, that you observe the
rules which I have taught you; do your best with all dispatch, for the
metal will soon be fused. You cannot go wrong; these honest men will
get the channels ready; you will easily be able to drive back the two
plugs with this pair of iron crooks; and I am sure that my mold will
fill miraculously. I feel more ill than I ever did in all my life, and
verily believe it will kill me before a few hours are over." Thus with
despair at heart I left them and betook myself to bed.

No sooner had I got to bed than I ordered my serving-maids to carry
food and wine for all the men into the workshop; at the same time I
cried, "I shall not be alive to-morrow." They tried to encourage me,
arguing that my