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the reason that these arts have always flourished in Florence in such
a manner, that I believe that it may be said without prejudice to
other cities that their principal and true nest and domicile is
Florence, not otherwise than Athens once was of the sciences. In
addition to that number of craftsmen, there were so many citizens
following them, and so many at the sides of the streets where the
procession passed, that there was no place for any more; and, what is
an even greater thing, there was nothing heard but praises in every
man's mouth of the merits of Michelagnolo, all saying that true
genius has such force that, after all expectation of such honour and
profit as can be obtained from a gifted man has failed, nevertheless,
by its own nature and peculiar merits, it remains honoured and
beloved. For these reasons that demonstration was more vivid in effect
and more precious than any pomp of gold and trappings that could have
been contrived.

The body having been carried with so beautiful a train into S. Croce,
after the friars had finished the ceremonies that were customary for
the dead, it was borne--not without very great difficulty, as has been
related, by reason of the concourse of people--into the sacristy,
where the above-named Lieutenant, who had been present in virtue of
his office, thinking to do a thing pleasing to many, and also (as he
afterwards confessed) desiring to see in death one whom he had not
seen in life, or had seen at such an early age that he had lost all
memory of him, then resolved to have the coffin opened. This done,
when he and all the rest of us present thought to find the body
already marred and putrefied, because Michelagnolo had been dead
twenty-five days and twenty-two in the coffin, we found it so perfect
in every part, and so free from any noisome odour, that we were ready
to believe that it was rather at rest in a sweet and most peaceful
sleep; and, besides that the features of the face were exactly as in
life (except that there was something of the colour of death), it had
no member that was marred or revealed any corruption, and the head and
cheeks were not otherwise to the touch than as if he had passed away
but a few hours before.

When the tumult of the people had abated, arrangements were made to
place the body in a sepulchre in the church, beside the altar of the
Cavalcanti, by the door that leads into the cloister of the
chapter-house. Meanwhile the news had spread th