ver be
found, nor beams to make a bridge strong enough to sustain the framework
and the weight of so great an edifice; and having determined to make an
end of the matter, they wrote to Filippo in Rome, praying him to come to
Florence. He, desiring nothing better, returned with great readiness;
and the Wardens of Works of S. Maria del Fiore and the Consuls of the
Guild of Wool, assembling on his arrival, explained to Filippo all the
difficulties, from the greatest to the smallest, which were being raised
by the masters, who were in his presence at the audience together with
them. Whereupon Filippo spoke these words: "My Lords the Wardens, there
is no doubt that great enterprises ever present difficulties in their
execution, and if any ever did so, this of yours presents them, and even
greater than perchance you are aware of, for the reason that I do not
know whether even the ancients ever raised a vault so tremendous as this
will be; and although I have often pondered over the framework necessary
both within and without, and how it may be possible to work at it
securely, I have never been able to come to any resolution, and I am
aghast no less at the breadth than at the height of the edifice, for the
reason that, if it could be made round, we might use the method used by
the Romans in raising the dome over the Pantheon in Rome, that is, the
Ritonda, whereas here we must follow the eight sides, and bind the
stones together with ties and by dove-tailing them, which will be
something very difficult. But remembering that this is a temple
consecrated to God and to the Virgin, I am confident, since this is
being done in memory of her, that she will not fail to infuse knowledge
where it is lacking, and to give strength, wisdom, and genius to him who
is to be the author of such a work. But how can I help you in this
matter, since the task is not mine? I tell you, indeed, that if the work
fell to me, I would have resolution and courage enough to find the
method whereby the vault might be raised without so many difficulties;
but as yet I have given no thought to it, and you would have me tell you
the method! And when at last your Lordships determine to have it raised,
you will be forced not only to make trial of me, for I do not think
myself able to be the sole adviser in so great a matter, but also to
spend money and to ordain that within a year and on a fixed day many
architects shall come to Florence, not merely Tuscans and Itali