the Dolfi, which is
considered in the judgment of many craftsmen to be the best work that he
ever executed in that city.

He went to Trento, and, in company with other painters, painted the
palace of the old Cardinal, from which he gained very great fame. Then,
returning to Bologna, he gave his attention to the works that he had
begun. Now it happened that there was much talk throughout Bologna about
having a panel-picture painted for the Della Morte Hospital, for which
various designs were made by way of competition, some in drawing and
some in colour. And since many thought that they had the first claim,
some through interest and others because they held themselves to be most
worthy of such a commission, Girolamo was left in the lurch; and
considering that he had been wronged, not long afterwards he departed
from Bologna. And thus the envy of others raised him to such a height of
prosperity as he had never thought of; since, if he had been chosen for
the work, it would have impeded the blessings that his good fortune had
prepared for him. For, having made his way to England, he was
recommended by some friends, who favoured him, to King Henry; and
presenting himself before him, he entered into his service, although not
as painter, but as engineer. Then, making trial of his skill in various
edifices, copied from some in Tuscany and other parts of Italy, that
King pronounced them marvellous, rewarded him with a succession of
presents, and decreed him a provision of four hundred crowns a year; and
he was given the means to build an honourable abode for himself at the
expense of the King. Thereupon Girolamo, raised from one extreme of
distress to the other extreme of grandeur, lived a most happy and
contented life, thanking God and Fortune for having turned his steps to
a country where men were so favourable to his talents. But this unwonted
happiness was not destined to last long, for the war between the French
and the English being continued, and Girolamo being charged with
superintending all the work of the bastions and fortifications, the
artillery, and the defences of the camp, it happened one day, when the
city of Boulogne in Picardy was being bombarded, that a ball from a
demi-cannon came with horrid violence and cut him in half on his horse's
back. And thus, Girolamo being at the age of thirty-six, his life, his
earthly honours, and all his greatness were extinguished at one and the
same moment, in the year 1544.