Seeing the willingness and
single-mindedness of the child he laughed very much, but afterwards
appreciating the beauty of the thing and the boy's youth, as father of all
talent he thought to bestow his favour upon such a genius and take him
into his house, and hearing from him whose son he was, he said: "_Let your
father know that I desire to speak with him._"

VIII. When he got home Michael Angelo carried out the embassy of the
Magnificent; his father divining why he was called, with great persuasion
from Granacci and others made ready to go: lamenting to himself that his
son would be taken away. Stating, moreover, that he would never suffer his
son to be a stonemason, it was useless for Granacci to explain how great
was the difference between a sculptor and a mason. After all this long
disputation he ultimately was ushered into the presence of the
Magnificent, who asked him if he would deliver his son over to his care,
for he would not neglect him; "_Even so,_" he replied, "_not only Michael
Angelo, but all of us, with our lives and all our best faculties, are at
the service of your Magnificence._" And when the Magnificent asked what he
could do for himself, he replied: "_I have never practised any profession;
but have always lived upon my small income and attended to the small
property left to me by my ancestors; trying not only to keep it up
properly, but also endeavouring to increase it as far as I may with my
powers and by my diligence._" The Magnificent then replied: "_Very well,
look about you, see if there is not something in Florence that will suit
you; make use of me; I will do the best I can for you._" And so dismissing
the old man, he gave Michael Angelo a good room in his own house with all
that he needed,(12) treating him like a son, with a seat at his table,
which was frequented every day by noblemen and men of great affairs. Now
they had a custom that those who were present at the beginning of a meal
should take their places next to the Magnificent according to their rank,
and should not change them, no matter who came in afterwards; so that
often Michael Angelo was seated even above the sons of Lorenzo and other
persons of quality; for in that house noble persons abounded: by all of
them Michael Angelo was caressed and incited to his honourable work; but
above all by the Magnificent, who would often call for him many times in
the day to show him engraved gems,(13) cornelians, medals, and such like
thing