There may be other cities That please us for a while, but Rome alone Completely satisfies.

It becomes to all A second native land by predilection, And not by accident of birth alone.
BENVENUTO.
I am but just arrived, and am now lodging With Bindo Altoviti.

I have been To kiss the feet of our most Holy Father, And now am come in haste to kiss the hands Of my miraculous Master.
MICHAEL ANGELO.
And to find him Grown very old.
BENVENUTO.
You know that precious stones Never grow old.
MICHAEL ANGELO.
Half sunk beneath the horizon, And yet not gone.

Twelve years are a long while.
Tell me of France.
BENVENUTO.
It were too long a tale To tell you all.

Suffice in brief to say The King received me well, and loved me well; Gave me the annual pension that before me Our Leonardo had, nor more nor less, And for my residence the Tour de Nesle, Upon the river-side.
MICHAEL ANGELO.
A princely lodging.
BENVENUTO.
What in return I did now matters not, For there are other things, of greater moment, I wish to speak of.