From that day I have not held in very high esteem The life of man.
MICHAEL ANGELO.
And who absolved Pope Clement?
Now let us speak of Art.
BENVENUTO.
Of what you will.
MICHAEL ANGELO.
Say, have you seen our friend Fra Bastian lately, Since by a turn of fortune he became Friar of the Signet?
BENVENUTO.
Faith, a pretty artist To pass his days in stamping leaden seals On Papal bulls! MICHAEL ANGELO.
He has grown fat and lazy, As if the lead clung to him like a sinker.
He paints no more, since he was sent to Fondi By Cardinal Ippolito to paint The fair Gonzaga.

Ah, you should have seen him As I did, riding through the city gate, In his brown hood, attended by four horsemen, Completely armed, to frighten the banditti.
I think he would have frightened them alone, For he was rounder than the O of Giotto.
BENVENUTO.
He must have looked more like a sack of meal Than a great painter.
MICHAEL ANGELO.
Well, he is not great But still I like him greatly.

Benvenuto Have faith in nothing but in industry.
Be at it late and early; persevere, And work right on through censure and applause, Or else abandon Art.
BENVENUTO.
No man works harder Then I do.

I am not a moment idle.
MICHAEL ANGELO.
And what have you to show me?
BENVENUTO.
This gold ring, Made for his Holiness,--my latest work, And I am proud of it.

A single diamond Presented by the Emperor to the Pope.
Targhetta of Venice set and tinted it; I have reset it, and retinted it Divinely, as you see.