employed him to execute many portraits; also from thence workers in gold and silver tapestry, the beauty of whose performances resulted in a great degree from his own connoisseurship and tastes, which pervaded all he had executed in the fine arts.[182] [Footnote 180: Vat. Urb. MSS. No. 941.] [Footnote *181: For Federigo's intercourse with Campano, cf. G. ZANNONI, _Federigo di Montefeltro e G.A. Campano_, in _Atti della R. Accademia delle Scienze di Torino_, vol. XXXVIII. (Torino).] [Footnote 182: This painter was Justus of Ghent, mentioned at p. 205. To the subject of art at Urbino we shall return in ch. xxvii.] This testimony of Vespasiano is confirmed by Sanzi, also a contemporary in attendance on his court, whose account, although inferring some repetition, may be given in his own words:-- "Since excellence in sooth gives no repose To men of merit, least to those of names Already known to glory, so the Count, Though laden with the laurels of the field, To mental discipline himself addressed. And anxious to employ his ardent thoughts On elevating themes, he Ethics chose Whereon to bend his mind, and took as guide One Messer Lazzaro, a preaching friar Of singular repute; a good divine, In whom each gentle, each endearing trait With honour and devotion blended well. On Aristotle's writings all intent, His learning to their wisdom glory gave; And gladly entered he upon the task Of clearly setting forth their lustrous thoughts In daily readings, oft at matin hours. With zealous mind and intellect matured, The Count a great and rapid progress made; And as no generous spirit willingly Leaves favours unrequited, by his means His able master filled Urbino's see,-- A guerdon gratefully received. Thus fond Of study, he his time could seldom spend To disadvantage. Even as he took His modest frugal meals at home, or when He sojourned elsewhere, it was his delight To listen whilst from ancient histories, Or recent chronicles, were read details Of martial deeds, discerning readily How sped the fortune of the fight ere yet Its changing turns were told. Of maxims shrewd And singular he master was beyond Most others; nor from table would he rise Whilst any staid to crave an audience. To Arithmetic daily he applied, And Algebra's high science, with success, By Paul Alamanno taught; to whom seemed plain Truths hid from many; who the heavens had scanned For years successive, and the stars had tracked, Until celestial influences grew To him familiar; an exponent famed Of physical philosophy, and hence Much favoured by the Count."