In their presence I declared that the small amount of gold and money I possessed, perhaps some eight hundred crowns, what with gold, silver, jewels, and cash, should be given by my will to my poor sister in Florence, called Mona Liperata; all the remainder of my property, armour and everything besides, I left to my dearest Felice, together with fifty golden ducats, in order that he might buy mourning. At those words Felice flung his arms around my neck, protesting that he wanted nothing but to have me as he wished alive with him. Then I said: “If you want me alive, touch me as you did before, and threaten the old man, for he is afraid of you.” At these words some of the folk were terrified, knowing that I was not raving, but talking to the purpose and with all my wits. Thus my wretched malady went dragging on, and I got but little better. Maestro Francesco, that most excellent man, came four or five times a day; Messer Giovanni Gaddi, who felt ashamed, did not visit me again. My brother-in-law, the husband of my sister, arrived; he came from Florence for the inheritance; but as he was a very worthy man, he rejoiced exceedingly to have found me alive. The sight of him did me a world of good, and he began to caress me at once, saying he had only come to take care of me in person; and this he did for several days. Afterwards I sent him away, having almost certain hope of my recovery. On this occasion he left the sonnet of Messer Benedetto Varchi, which runs as follows: 5 “Who shall, Mattio, yield our pain relief? Who shall forbid the sad expense of tears? Alas! ‘tis true that in his youthful years Our friend hath flown, and left us here to grief. “He hath gone up to heaven, who was the chief Of men renowned in art’s immortal spheres; Among the mighty dead he had no peers, Nor shall earth see his like, in my belief. O gentle sprite! if love still sway the blest, Look down on him thou here didst love, and view These tears that mourn my loss, not thy great good. “There dost thou gaze on His beatitude Who made our universe, and findest true The form of Him thy skill for men expressed.” Note 1. Francesco Fusconi, physician to Popes Adrian VI., Clement VII., and Paul III. Note 2. Franzesi was a clever Italian poet. His burlesque Capitoli are printed with those of Berni and others. Note 3. 'Inferno,' iii., the verses about Charon. Note 4. 'Io ali possa soffiare in culo.'