n perfectly formed; the reason of this was
that, from causes I have recently described, the bronze was hotter
than our rules of art prescribe; also that I had been obliged to
supplement the alloy with my pewter cups and platters, which no one
else, I think, had ever done before.

Having now ascertained how successfully my work had been accomplished,
I lost no time in hurrying to Pisa, where I found the Duke. He gave me
a most gracious reception, as did also the Duchess; and although the
major-domo had informed them of the whole proceedings, their
Excellencies deemed my performance far more stupendous and astonishing
when they heard the tale from my own mouth. When I arrived at the foot
of Perseus, and said it had not come out perfect, just as I previously
warned his Excellency, I saw an expression of wonder pass over his
face, while he related to the Duchess how I had predicted this
beforehand.

Observing the Princess to be so well disposed towards me, I begged
leave from the Duke to go to Rome. He granted it in most obliging
terms, and bade me return as soon as possible to complete his Perseus;
giving me letters of recommendation meanwhile to his ambassador,
Averardo Serristori. We were then in the first years of Pope Giulio de
Monti.

A NECKLACE OF PEARLS

From the 'Memoirs': Symonds's Translation

I must beg your attention now, most gracious reader, for a very
terrible event which happened.

I used the utmost diligence and industry to complete my statue, and
went to spend my evenings in the Duke's wardrobe, assisting there the
goldsmiths who were working for his Excellency. Indeed, they labored
mainly on designs which I had given them. Noticing that the Duke took
pleasure in seeing me at work and talking with me, I took it into my
head to go there sometimes also by day. It happened upon one of those
days that his Excellency came as usual to the room where I was
occupied, and more particularly because he heard of my arrival.
His Excellency entered at once into conversation, raising several
interesting topics, upon which I gave my views so much to his
entertainment that he showed more cheerfulness than I had ever seen
in him before. All of a sudden one of his secretaries appeared, and
whispered something of importance in his ear; whereupon the Duke rose,
and retired with the official into another chamber.

Now the Duchess had sent to see what his Excellency was doing, and her
page brought back this answ