Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/238

 for my soul has just opened itself to your own. Come and show me the pictures on which you have worked in secret."

Antonio led him into his studio. Salvator examined the work for a long time, then he broke the silence:—"Young man, there is no mediocrity here, and you have received from heaven the vocation of an artist; but time and practice are requisite before you can attain the perfection of your masters. I will not tell you that you possess the delicate touch of Guido nor the vigor of Annibal; but, certainly, you leave far behind our colorists of the Aadcemy [sic] of San-Luca, the Tiarini, les Gessi, the Sementa and many others, comprising Lanfranco, who only knows how to paint frescoes. But, yet, dear Antonio, I should still hesitate, in your place, between the lancet and the pencil. Art, do you see, becomes every day more ungrateful, and the devil is making war upon us! If you have not the resolution to submit to all kinds of affronts, injustice, and disgust,—for the more talent you have, the more envious and false friends you will have,—if you have not the strength of the martyrs, believe me, you had better give up the art. Remember the fate of the great Annibal, your master, whom the baseness of his enviers deprived of the fruits of his great labors, and who died poor in prime of life; remember our Dominiquin and the Cupola of Saint Janvier! Two cowardly rivals, Belisario and Pubera, did they not bribe his servant to mix ashes with his lime, so that his painting, deprived of temper, fell in scales under his despairing hand! Take care, Antonio, measure well your strength; for as soon as your courage fails, talent dies."

"I accept the struggle!" exclaimed Scacciati with an inspired voice; "and since you have proclaimed me painter, it is in you that I place my trust. You can by a word place me in the position which belongs to me."

"You have faith in me," said Salvator. "Well, I will sustain you with all my heart."

Saying this, he looked over the paintings of Scacciati again, and stopping before a Magdalen at the feet of the Saviour:—