Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/289

Rh travelling companions, lie remarked that he had brought 12,000 crowns with him to Ferrara, and that if these could be of any service to the Duke, they were to consider his Excellency as much master of them as himself. The Duke then led the master through the Palace to amuse him as he had previously done at an earlier visit, showing him all the fine works in his possession, among others his own Portrait by the hand of Titian, which Michelagnolo greatly extolled: but the latter could not be prevailed on to accept rooms in the Palace, and insisted on returning to his inn. The host then received various supplies, secretly sent from the Duke for the better accommodation of our artist, and was forbidden to accept any remuneration when his guest should depart.

From Ferrara Michelagnolo repaired to Venice, where many of the most distinguished inhabitants desired to make his acquaintance; but he, who had never any very high opinion of their judgment in matters concerning his vocation, left the Giudecca, where he had taken up his abode, and where, as it is said, he prepared a design, at the entreaty of the Doge Gritti, for the Bridge of the Bialto, which was declared to be one of original invention and extraordinary beauty. He was meanwhile earnestly entreated to return to his native city, and not to abandon his works there; a safe conduct was likewise sent him, and, moved by love of his native place, he did eventually return, but not without danger to his life. At this time Michelagnolo finished the Leda, which he was painting, as I have said, at the request of the Duke Alfonso, and which was afterwards taken into France by his disciple Antonio Mini. He also repaired the Campanile of San Miniato, a tower which effectually harassed the enemy during the siege with its two pieces of artillery.

The Imperialists then assailed it with heavy cannon, and, having all but eflfected a breach, would soon have destroyed it utterly, had not Michelagnolo found means to oppose sacks of wool and thick mattresses to the artillery; but he did eventually defend it with success, and it is standing to this day.