chastity and beauty of the glorious Virgin Mary, who was
painted by St. Luke the Evangelist, the work is in the Sancto Sanctorum,
and the head of our Saviour which is in San Giovanni in Laterano, as we
all know, and especially Messer Francisco. Frequently the images badly
painted distract and cause devotion to be lost, at least in those who
possess little; and, on the contrary, those that are divinely painted
provoke and lead even those who are little devout and but little inclined
to worship to contemplation and tears, and by their grave aspect imbue
them with reverence and fear."

M. Lactancio then said, having turned towards me:

"Why did M. Angelo say of the picture of the Saviour, 'as we all know and
especially Messer Francisco'?"

I answered: "Because, Senhor, he has already met me two or three times on
the road to San Giovanni Laterano, going to obtain His grace for my
salvation."

And I thereupon wished to cease speaking, but he desiring me to continue,
I recommenced thus:

"Senhor, the Most Serene Queen of Portugal, being desirous of seeing the
precious face of Our Saviour, ordered our ambassador to have it drawn from
the original, but I, not trusting this to anybody, wished, with the desire
that I have to serve her, to dare to undertake this enterprise myself, for
it is very fine as regards execution and no less as regards accuracy. And
thus I have sent it to her, done under such difficulties as Your
Excellencies can suspect."

"You cannot be a friend of the Lady Marchioness," said Joao Capata," for
you did not show her a thing which is so much to her liking; but tell me,
Messer Francisco, did you do it with that severe simplicity which the old
painting has and with that fear in those divine eyes which in the original
seem to belong to the very Saviour?"

"I did it that way," I said to him, "and in it I desired to put all the
truth, neither to increase nor diminish anything of that grave severity.
But I fear that this, which was my greatest work, will be the one the
least known."

"No it will not," answered M. Lactancio Tolomei, "as in that they will
trust to your knowledge, and it will be an image which will lead them to
build a noble temple for it. I am astonished at your being able to
reproduce and send it, for neither the Popes nor the Brothers of San
Giovanni Laterano ever allowed the King of France or other devout
princesses to do so."

Then M. Angelo said:

"It is astonishing how M. Franci