He showed the same art and the same judgment in the story of
the Deluge, wherein are seen various deaths of men, who, terrified by
the horror of those days, are striving their utmost in different ways
to save their lives. For in the faces of those figures may be seen
life a prey to death, not less than fear, terror, and disregard of
everything; and compassion is visible in many that are assisting one
another to climb to the summit of a rock in search of safety, among
them one who, having embraced one half dead, is striving his utmost to
save him, than which Nature herself could show nothing better. Nor can
I tell how well expressed is the story of Noah, who, drunk with wine,
is sleeping naked, and has before him one son who is laughing at him
and two who are covering him up--a scene incomparable in the beauty of
the artistry, and not to be surpassed save by himself alone.

[Illustration: THE LYBIAN SIBYL

(_After the fresco by =Michelagnolo=. Rome: The Vatican, Sistine
Chapel_)

_Anderson_]

Then, as if his genius had taken courage from what it had achieved up
to that time, it soared upwards and proved itself even greater in the
five Sibyls and seven Prophets that are painted there, each five
braccia or more in height. In all these are well-varied attitudes,
beautiful draperies, and different vestments; and all, in a word, are
wrought with marvellous invention and judgment, and to him who can
distinguish their expressions they appear divine. Jeremiah is seen
with the legs crossed, holding one hand to the beard, and resting that
elbow on the knee; the other hand rests in his lap, and he has the
head bowed in a manner that clearly demonstrates the melancholy,
cogitation, anxious thought and bitterness of soul that his people
cause him. Equally fine, also, are two little children that are behind
him, and likewise the first Sibyl, beyond him in the direction of the
door, in which figure, wishing to depict old age, in addition to
enveloping her in draperies, he sought to show that her blood is
already frozen by time; besides which, since her sight has become
feeble, he has made her as she reads bring the book very close to her
eyes. Beyond this figure follows the Prophet Ezekiel, an old man, who
has a grace and a movement that are most beautiful, and is much
enveloped in draperies, while with one hand he holds a roll of
prophecies, and with the other uplifted, turning his head, he appears
to be about to utter great and