Holy Father, If all the labors that I have endured, And shall endure, advantage not my soul, I am but losing time.
JULIUS, laying his hands on MICHAEL ANGELO'S shoulders.
You will be gainer Both for your soul and body.
MICHAEL ANGELO.
Not events Exasperate me, but the funest conclusions I draw from these events; the sure decline Of art, and all the meaning of that word: All that embellishes and sweetens life, And lifts it from the level of low cares Into the purer atmosphere of beauty; The faith in the Ideal; the inspiration That made the canons of the church of Seville Say, "Let us build, so that all men hereafter Will say that we were madmen." Holy Father, I beg permission to retire from here.
JULIUS.
Go; and my benediction be upon you.
[Michael Angelo goes out.
My Cardinals, this Michael Angelo Must not be dealt with as a common mason.
He comes of noble blood, and for his crest Bear two bull's horns; and he has given us proof That he can toss with them.

From this day forth Unto the end of time, let no man utter The name of Baccio Bigio in my presence.
All great achievements are the natural fruits Of a great character.

As trees bear not Their fruits of the same size and quality, But each one in its kind with equal ease, So are great deeds as natural to great men As mean things are to small ones.

By his work We know the master.

Let us not perplex him.
III BINDO ALTOVITI A street in Rome.