Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/401

Rh Lorenzo. These drawings, with some by Giotto and other masters, I received in the year 1528, while still but a youth, from Vittorio Ghiberti. I have always held, and still hold them in high estimation, for their own merits as well as from reverence to the memory of men so distinguished. But if at the time when I lived in close intimacy and continual intercourse with Vittorio, I had known as much as I now know, I could easily have gained possession of many other things by Lorenzo, which were very fine. Many verses, both in Latin and Italian, have been made at different times in praise of Lorenzo; but of all these, that I may be the less wearisome to my reader, it shall suffice me to repeat the following:— “Dum cernit valvas aurato ex iere nitentes In templo Michael Angelus, obstupuit: Attonitusque diu, sic alta silentia rupit: O divinum opus! 0 janua digna polo!”

The happiness of those who approach the highest point of the science in which they labour to attain perfection, must in my opinion be very great, more especially when, in addition to the satisfaction assured to all who strive conscientiously, they perceive themselves to derive some benefit from their labours. Such men, without doubt, lead a most peaceful and happy life. And if it happen that one whose days are thus occupied in the upright endeavour to reach the true end of his existence and acquire the perfection to which he aspires, should be suddenly surprised by death, yet his memory does not become wholly extinct, if he have indeed meritoriously striven to advance on the true path. Therefore every one should do his utmost to reach perfection, for even though he should be cut off in the midst of his career, his fame will be secured and he will receive praise, if not for the works that he has been unable to finish, yet certainly for the upright