g whom Francesco made a portrait of
himself, which is so good that it seems as if alive. In the distance,
where the triumphal procession is passing, is a very beautiful picture
of Rome, and above the door is a figure of Peace in chiaroscuro, who is
burning the arms, with some prisoners; all which was executed by
Francesco with such diligence and study, that there is no more beautiful
work to be seen.

On the wall towards the west he painted in a niche in one of the larger
spaces, in the centre, a Mars in armour, and below that a nude figure
representing a Gaul,[20] with a crest on the head similar to that of a
cock; and in another niche a Diana with a skin about her waist, who is
drawing an arrow from her quiver, with a dog. In the two corners next
the other two walls are two figures of Time, one adjusting weights in a
balance, and the other tempering the liquid in two vases by pouring one
into the other. On the last wall, which is opposite to the chapel and
faces towards the north, in a corner on the right hand, is the Sun
figured in the manner wherein the Egyptians represent him, and in the
other corner the Moon in the same manner. In the middle is Favour,
represented as a nude young man on the summit of the wheel, with Envy,
Hatred, and Malice on one side, and on the other side Honours, Pleasure,
and all the other things described by Lucian. Above the windows is a
frieze all full of most beautiful nudes, as large as life, and in
various forms and attitudes; with some scenes likewise from the life of
Camillus. And opposite to the Peace that is burning the arms is the
River Arno, who, holding a most abundant horn of plenty, raises with
one hand a curtain and reveals Florence and the greatness of her
Pontiffs and the heroes of the House of Medici. He painted there,
besides all that, a base that runs round below those scenes, and niches
with some terminal figures of women that support festoons; and in the
centre are certain ovals with scenes of people adorning a Sphinx and the
River Arno.

[Footnote 20: A play on the word Gallo, which means both Gaul
and cock.]

Francesco put into the execution of that work all the diligence and
study that are possible; and, although he had many contradictions, he
carried it to a happy conclusion, desiring to leave in his native city a
work worthy of himself and of so great a Prince. Francesco was by nature
melancholy, and for the most part he did not care to have an