Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/141

Rh completed by that Pontiff, had his life been prolonged but for a short time, he being of a great and most determined spirit, well informed also, and so thoroughly skilled in such undertakings, that he directed and governed the architects no less than he was counselled and guided by them. And this is a state of things which causes great undertakings to be brough t easily to a successful termination, for when the founder of the building understands for himself, and is capable of instant decision, the works go forward, but when he is incapable and irresolute, he stands undecided between the yes and the no, suffering time to pass unprofitably amidst various designs and opinions, while nothing useful is effected. But respecting this design of Nicholas, there is no need to say anything more, since it was not carried into effect.

This Pontiff, likewise proposed to reconstruct the papal palace in so vast and magnificent a style, and with so much beauty and convenience, that, in every point of view, it should be the most splendid and extensive building in Christendom. He intended that it should not only be a suitable residence for the person of the supreme Pontiff, the chief of all Christians, and that of the sacred college of cardinals, who, as being his council and assistants, ought to be ever near him; but he also desired that all offices for business of whatever kind, despatches, legal affairs, and all others connected with the Court, should be comprised within it; insomuch, that all these buildings, thus assembled together, offices, courts, and the household, would have presented imposing magnificence, and, if such a term may be used for such a purpose, would have produced a pompous grandeur of inconceivable effect. But what is even much more, preparations were to have been made for the reception of emperors, kings, dukes, and other Christian princes, who, whether for their affairs, or from devotion, should visit that most holy apostolic seat. And who will believe that Pope Nicholas would also have constructed there a theatre for the coronation of the Pohtiffs, with gardens, loggie, aqueducts, fountains, chapels, libraries, and a most sumptuous building set apart for the conclave? This building (I know not whether I should call it a palace, a castle, or a city) would certainly have been the most superb edifice that had ever been erected, so far as we know, from the creation of the world to the