se that of another Giovanni, father of the warlike Signor Giovanni
mentioned above. In the second facade of the octagon, which was joined
to the entrance, there was seen between two most ornate columns, seated
in a great niche, with the royal staff in the hand, a figure in marble,
like all the other statues, of Caterina, the valorous Queen of France,
with all the other ornaments that are required in architecture both
lovely and heroic. And in the third range above, where, as has been
said, the painted compartments came, there was figured for her scene the
same Queen seated in majesty, who had before her two most beautiful
women in armour, one of whom, representing France, and kneeling before
her, was shown presenting to her a handsome boy adorned with a royal
crown, even as the other, who was Spain, standing, was shown in like
manner presenting to her a most lovely girl; the boy being intended for
the most Christian Charles IX, who is now revered as King of France, and
the girl the most noble Queen of Spain, wife of the excellent King
Philip. Then, about the same Caterina, were seen standing with much
reverence some other smaller boys, representing her other most gracious
little children, for whom a Fortune appeared to be holding sceptres,
crowns, and realms. And since between that niche and the arch of the
entrance, on account of the disproportion of the site, there was some
space left over, caused by the desire to make the arch not ungracefully
awry, but well-proportioned and straight, for that reason there was
placed there, as it were in a niche, a painted picture wherein by means
of a Prudence and a Liberality, who stood clasped in a close embrace, it
was shown very ingeniously with what guides the House of Medici had come
to such a height; having above them, painted in a little picture equal
in breadth to the others of the third range, a Piety humble and devout,
recognized by the stork that was beside her, round whom were seen many
little Angels that were showing to her various designs and models of the
many churches, monasteries, and convents built by that magnificent and
religious family. Now, proceeding to the third side of the octagon,
where there was the arch by which one issued from the theatre, over the
frontispiece of that arch was placed, as the heart of so many noble
members, the statue of the most excellent and amiable Prince and Spouse,
and at his feet the motto: SPES ALTERA FLORAE. In the frieze
above--m