It was
not till after this time that the popes and princes began seriously to
occupy themselves with it.
Niccolo Niccoli and Giannozzo Manetti have been already spoken of more
than once. Niccoli is described to us by Vespasiano as a man who would
tolerate nothing around him out of harmony with his own classical
spirit. His handsome long-robed figure, his kindly speech, his house
adorned with the noblest remains of antiquity, made a singular
impression. He was scrupulously cleanly in everything, most of all at
table, where ancient vases and crystal goblets stood before him on the
whitest linen. The way in which he won over a pleasure-loving young
Florentine to intellectual interests is too charming not to be here
described. Piero de' Pazzi, son of a distinguished merchant, and
himself destined to the same calling, fair to behold, and much given to
the pleasures of the world, thought about anything rather than
literature. One day, as he was passing the Palazzo del Podesta, Niccolo
called the young man to him, and although they had never before
exchanged a word, the youth obeyed the call of one so respected.
Niccolo asked him who his father was. He answered, 'Messer Andrea de'
Pazzi.' When he was further asked what his pursuit was, Piero replied,
as young people are wont to do, 'I enjoy myself' ('attendo a darmi buon
tempo').
Pages:
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241