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Book FirstPart XCVIII
Part XCVIII
After taking some repose in Paris, I went to visit the painter Rosso, who
was in the King`s service. I thought to find in him one of the sincerest
friends I had in the world, seeing that in Rome I had done him the greatest
benefits which one man can confer upon another. As these may be described
briefly, I will not here omit their mention, in order to expose the
shamelessness of such ingratitude. While he was in Rome, then, being a man
given to back-biting, he spoke so ill of Raffaello da Urbino`s works, that the
pupils of the latter were quite resolved to murder him. From this peril I
saved him by keeping a close watch upon him day and night. Again, the evil
things said by Rosso against San Gallo, ^1 that excellent architect, caused
the latter to get work taken from him which he had previously procured for him
from Messer Agnolo da Cesi; and after this San Gallo used his influence so
strenuously against him that he must have been brought to the verge of
starvation, had not I pitied his condition and lent him some scores of crowns
to live upon. So then, not having been repaid, and knowing that he held
employment under the King, I went, as I have said, to look him up. I did not
merely expect him to discharge his debt, but also to show me favour and assist
in placing me in that great monarch`s service.
[Footnote 1: Antonio da San Gallo, one of the best architects of the later
Renaissance.]
When Rosso set eyes on me, his countenance changed suddenly, and he
exclaimed: "Benvenuto, you have taken this long journey at great charges to
your loss; especially at this present time, when all men`s thoughts are
occupied with war, and not with the bagatelles of our profession." I replied
that I had brought money enough to take me back to Rome as I had come to
Paris, and that this was not the proper return for the pains I had endured for
him, and that now I began to believe what Maestro Antonio da San Gallo said of
him. When he tried to turn the matter into jest on this exposure of his
baseness, I showed him a letter of exchange for five hundred crowns upon
Ricciardo del Bene. Then the rascal was ashamed, and wanted to detain me
almost by force; but I laughed at him, and took my leave in the company of a
painter whom I found there. This man was called Sguazzella: ^2 he too was a
Florentine; and I went to lodge in his house, with three horses and three
servants, at so much per week. He treated me very well, and was even better
paid by me in return.
[Footnote 2: A pupil of Andrea del Sarto, who went with him to France and
settled there.]
Afterwards I sought audience of the King, through the introduction of his
treasurer, Messer Giuliano Buonaccorti. ^3 I met, however, with considerable
delays, owing, as I did not then know, to the strenuous exertions Rosso made
against my admission to his Majesty. When Messer Giuliano became aware of
this, he took me down at once to Fontana Bilio, ^4 and brought me into the
presence of the King, who granted me a whole hour of very gracious audience.
Since he was then on the point of setting out for Lyons, he told Messer
Giuliano to take me with him, adding that on the journey we could discuss some
works of art his Majesty had it in his head to execute. Accordingly, I
followed the court; and on the way I entered into close relations with the
Cardinal of Ferrara, who had not at that period obtained the hat. ^5 Every
evening I used to hold long conversations with the Cardinal, in the course of
which his lordship advised me to remain at an abbey of his in Lyons, and there
to abide at ease until the King returned from this campaign, adding that he
was going on to Grenoble, and that I should enjoy every convenience in the
abbey.
[Footnote 3: A Florentine exile mentioned by Varchi.]
[Footnote 4: Fontainebleau. Cellini always writes it as above.]
[Footnote 5: Ippolito d`Este, son of Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara; Archbishop of
Milan at the age of fifteen; Cardinal in 1539; spent a large part of his life
in France.]
When we reached Lyons I was already ill, and my lad Ascanio had taken a
quartan fever. The French and their court were both grown irksome to me, and I
counted the hours till I could find myself again in Rome. On seeing my anxiety
to return home, the Cardinal gave me money sufficient for making him a silver
bason and jug. So we took good horses, and set our faces in the direction of
Rome, passing the Simplon, and travelling for some while in the company of
certain Frenchmen; Ascanio troubled by his quartan, and I by a slow fever
which I found it quite impossible to throw off. I had, moreover, got my
stomach out of order to such an extent, that for the space of four months, as
I verily believe, I hardly ate one whole loaf of bread in the week; and great
was my longing to reach Italy, being desirous to die there rather than in
France.
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