e does not content himself with
what is sufficient for him to become rich thereby, and one of the number
of the craftsmen, but in order to be unique and distinguished he watches
and works continuously, and keeps before his eyes the great hope of being
a paragon of perfection (I speak where I know I am believed) and not a
mere mediocrity in that art or science. This is because Italy does not
esteem mediocrity, deeming it an exceedingly poor thing; and speaks only
of those, and even praises them to the skies, who, like _eagles_, surpass
all others, and penetrating the clouds approach the light of the sun.
Then, again, you are born in a province (is not this an advantage?) which
is the mother and protectress of all sciences and disciplines, amongst so
many relics of your ancestors, which do not exist anywhere else, that
already as children you find before your eyes in the streets a great part
of whatever your inclination or genius may be inclined to; and from youth
upwards you are accustomed to see those things which old men never saw in
other kingdoms. Then, growing up, although you may have been rude and
rough, by nature you are already so accustomed to have your eyes full of
the forms of the many old things of renown, that you cannot fail to
imitate them; and to all this are joined (as I say) distinguished talent
and indefatigable study and taste. You have remarkable masters to imitate,
and their works, and as regards new works the cities are full of the
curious things and novelties which are discovered and found every day. And
if all these things do not suffice, although I should consider them quite
sufficient for the perfection of any science, at least this is quite
enough; namely, that we, Portuguese, although some of us may be born with
nice talent and minds--as many are born--have a contempt for and consider it
fine to take little account of the arts, and we almost feel it a disgrace
to know much about them, wherefore we always leave them imperfect and
unfinished. You Italians alone, (I cannot even say Germans or Frenchmen),
give the greatest honour, the greatest nobility and the power to be more,
to a man who is a splendid painter or splendid in some faculty; and of all
your noblemen, captains, wise men, satirists, cardinals and Popes, that
man only who may attain the reputation of being perfect and rare in his
profession is ever exalted or thought much of by you. And as great princes
are not esteemed nor have any na