Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/363

Rh Illustrious Excellency shall consent. Thirdly, we pray that you will be pleased, out of that same goodness and liberality, to assist the Academy in all which these obsequies may demand, beyond their own power, which is very small, to supply. All and every of these things have been discussed in the presence and with the consent of the very magnificent and reverend Monsignore, Messer Vincenzio Borghini, Prior of the Innocents, the Prorector of your most Illustrious Excellency, for the said Academy and Company. And your petitioners, &c.”

To this the Duke replied:—

“,—We are well content fully to grant your petitions, for the great love that we have ever borne to the rare genius of Michelagnolo Buonarroti, and which we still bear to all of your vocation. Do you therefore execute whatever you propose to do for his obsequies, and we, on our part, will not fail to supply what you may need. We have, meanwhile, written to Messer Benedetto respecting the oration, and to the Director concerning all else that occurs to us as needful in this matter. And herewith we bid you farewell. From Pisa.”

The letter to Varchi was as follows:—

“, — The affection we bear to the great genius of Michelagnolo Buonarroti, makes us desire that his memory shall be honoured and celebrated in all ways, wherefore it will be pleasing to us, if, for our love, you will accept the care of the oration which is to be pronounced at his obsequies, according to the arrangements made by the deputies of the Academy: still more will it please us if this oration be spoken by yourself. Fare you well.”

Messer Bernardino Grazzini also wrote to the above-named deputies, telling them that the Duke was displaying all the zeal that could be desired in that cause, and adding that they might assure themselves of all help and favour from his Most Illustrious Excellency.

While these arrangements were proceeding in Florence,