Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/17

 but all the ingenious artists of this age, may equally expect honour, reward, and opportunity to exercise their art; so that I rejoice already in the thought that these arts will reach the supreme point of their perfection during his reign, and Rome be adorned by so many and such excellent artists, that, counting with them those of Florence, daily called into activity by your Excellency, we may hope that they who shall come after us will have to write a fourth part to my work, enriched by other performances and other masters than those here described, in the company of whom I continually make every effort to be not among the last.

Meanwhile, I am content that your Excellency have some hope of me, and a better opinion of me than you probably, without any fault of mine, have hitherto held, entreating that your Excellency will not suffer me to be injured, in your estimation, by the malignant assertions of others, while my life and works prove the contrary of their reports. And now, with the earnest desire ever to serve and honour your Excellency, I dedicate this my rude labour, as I have devoted myself and all that I have, to your service, entreating that you will not disdain to take it under your protection, or that you will at least regard the devotion of him who offers it I recommend myself to your gracious consideration, and humbly kissing your hands, am your Excellency’s most obedient servant, 5em Painter, of Arezzo.