t was written at that time, as well as all that is about to be
written, is the truth; nor do I know that anyone has been more
associated with him than I have been, or has been a more faithful
friend and servant to him, as can be proved even to one who knows not
the facts, neither do I believe that there is anyone who can show a
greater number of letters written by his own hand, or any written with
greater affection than he has expressed to me. I have made this
digression for the sake of truth, and it must suffice for all the rest
of his Life. Let us now return to our story.

When the ability as well as the person of Michelagnolo had grown in
such a manner, that Domenico, seeing him execute some works beyond the
scope of a boy, was astonished, since it seemed to him that he not
only surpassed the other disciples, of whom he had a great number, but
very often equalled the things done by himself as master, it happened
that one of the young men who were learning under Domenico copied with
the pen some draped figures of women from works by Ghirlandajo;
whereupon Michelagnolo took that drawing and with a thicker pen
outlined one of those women with new lineaments, in the manner that it
should have been in order to be perfect. And it is a marvellous thing
to see the difference between the two manners, and the judgment and
excellence of a mere lad who was so spirited and bold, that he had the
courage to correct the work of his master. That sheet is now in my
possession, treasured as a relic; and I received it from Granacci to
put in my book of drawings together with others by the same hand,
which I received from Michelagnolo. In the year 1550, when Giorgio was
in Rome, he showed it to Michelagnolo, who recognized it and was
pleased to see it again, saying modestly that he knew more of the art
when he was a boy than he did at that time, when he was an old man.

Now it happened that when Domenico was at work on the great chapel of
S. Maria Novella, one day that he was out Michelagnolo set himself to
draw the staging from the reality, with some desks and all the
appliances of art, and some of the young men who were working there.
Whereupon, when Domenico had returned and seen Michelagnolo's drawing,
he said, "This boy knows more about it than I do;" and he was struck
with amazement at the novel manner and the novel method of imitation
that a mere boy of such tender age displayed by reason of the judgment
bestowed upon him by Heav