d in detail his childhood, the sack of Rome, and many
things, fortunate or unfortunate, that he experienced in his time. He
was courageous, and from his youth took delight in contending with
those greater than himself, because, he used to say, by contending
with the great a man advances, but against the little he lowers
himself. He esteemed honour above everything in the world, wherefore
in his affairs he was most loyal and a man of his word, and so pure in
heart, that no offer, however great, could have corrupted him,
although he was put to the test several times by his Signori, who for
this and for other qualities regarded him not as their protomaster or
minister, but as a father and brother, honouring him for his goodness,
which was in no way feigned, but real. He was liberal with every man,
and so loving towards his relatives, that he deprived himself of many
comforts in order to assist them; although he lived always in repute
and honour, as one who was observed by everyone. At times he let
himself be overcome by anger, which was very great in him, but it soon
passed; and very often with a few humble words you could make the
tears come to his eyes.

He had a surpassing love for the art of sculpture; such a love,
indeed, that, to the end that it might be dispersed widely in various
parts, he formed many disciples, making as it were a seminary of that
art in Italy. Among these, very famous were Niccolo Tribolo and
Solosmeo, Florentines; Danese Cattaneo of Carrara, a Tuscan, of
supreme excellence in poetry as well as in sculpture; Girolamo da
Ferrara, Jacopo Colonna of Venice, Luca Lancia of Naples, Tiziano da
Padova, Pietro da Salo, Bartolommeo Ammanati of Florence, at the
present day sculptor and protomaster to the great Duke of Tuscany,
and, finally, Alessandro Vittoria of Trento, a rare master in
portraits of marble, and Jacopo de' Medici of Brescia; who, reviving
the memory of the excellence of their master, have employed their
talents on many honoured works in various cities.

Sansovino was much esteemed by Princes, among whom Alessandro de'
Medici, Duke of Florence, sought his judgment in building the Citadel
of that city. And Duke Cosimo in the year 1540, Sansovino having gone
on his affairs to his native city, not only sought his counsel in the
matter of that fortress, but also strove to engage him in his service,
offering him a good salary; and on his return from Florence Duke
Ercole of Ferrara detained him