thought: "One letter to your friend (the Pope) would be enough; you would soon see what fruit it bore; because I know how he values you.

He loves you, knows your nature, adores your work, and tastes its quality as much as it is possible for man to do.

Indeed, his appreciation is miraculous, and such as ought to give great satisfaction to an artist.

He speaks of you so honourably, and with such loving affection, that a father could not say of a son what he does of you.

It is true that he has been grieved at times by buzzings in his ear about you at the time of the siege of Florence.