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Book FirstPart XV
Part XV
I went on working with Pagolo Arsago, and earned a good deal of money,
the greater part of which I always sent to my good father. At the end of two
years, upon my father`s entreaty, I returned to Florence, and put myself once
more under Francesco Salimbene, with whom I earned a great deal, and took
continual pains to improve in my art. I renewed my intimacy with Francesco di
Filippo; and though I was too much given to pleasure, owing to that accursed
music, I never neglected to devote some hours of the day or night to study. At
that time I fashioned a silver heart`s-key (chiavaquore), as it was then
so called. This was a girdle three inches broad, which used to be made for
brides, and was executed in half relief with some small figures in the round.
It was a commission from a man called Raffaello Lapaccini. I was very badly
paid; but the honour which it brought me was worth far more than the gain I
might have justly made by it. Having at this time worked with many different
persons in Florence, I had come to know some worthy men among the goldsmiths,
as for instance, Marcone, my first master; but I also met with others reputed
honest, who did all they could to ruin me, and robbed me grossly. When I
perceived this, I left their company, and held them for thieves and
black-guards. One of the goldsmiths, called Giovanbattista Sogliani, kindly
accommodated me with part of his shop, which stood at the side of the New
Market near the Landi`s bank. There I finished several pretty pieces, and made
good gains, and was able to give my family much help. This roused the jealousy
of the bad men among my former masters, who were called Salvadore and Michele
Guasconti. In the guild of the goldsmiths they had three big shops, and drove
a thriving trade. On becoming aware of their evil will against me, I
complained to certain worthy fellows, and remarked that they ought to have
been satisfied with the thieveries they practised on me under the cloak of
hypocritical kindness. This coming to their ears, they threatened to make me
sorely repent of such words; but I, who knew not what the colour of fear was,
paid them little or no heed.
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