Ill hath he chosen his part who seeks to please The worthless world,--ill hath he chosen his part, For often must he wear the look of ease When grief is at his heart; And often in his hours of happier feeling With sorrow must his countenance be hung, And ever his own better thoughts concealing Must in stupid grandeur’s praise be loud, And to the errors of the ignorant crowd Assent with lying tongue. Thus much would I conceal--that none should know What secret cause I have for silent woe; And taught by many a melancholy proof That those whom fortune favours it pollutes I from the blind and faithless world aloof, Nor fear its envy nor desire its praise, But choose my path through solitary ways. * * * * * It was one of Michael Angelo’s high qualities to bear about him an atmosphere which the parasite dared not approach: no heart-eater could live in it. He justly estimated whatever was influential in society; and hence though he seemed to look down upon rank as an accident of life, he was not regardless of its use. To those whom distinctions had raised, he paid the deference accorded to their dignities. Yet towards him who touched his integrity, he bore a lofty carriage, and when he condescended to resent the attack, hurled an impetuous defiance that kindled as it flew, and consumed the insulting defamer, though he were ensconced behind countless quarterings, or ermined and enthroned. To the constant calumny of jealous rivalry, and the daily lie of envy and enmity, he was utterly indifferent. When asked why he did not resent the aspersions incessantly poured upon him by one of his assailants, he answered--“He who contends with the worthless can gain nothing worth possessing.” * * * * * Michael Angelo’s temper was “sudden and quick;” but his nature was kind and benevolent. Inferior artists frequently experienced his friendly disposition. He sometimes made drawings and modelled for them. To Minigella, a very indifferent hand, he gave the model of a crucifix beautifully executed, from which the poor fellow formed a mould and made casts of _papier mache_ to sell to the country people. Friendship and esteem for particular individuals oftener induced him to undertake works than proffers of large sums. Yet he was not indifferent or insensible to a just estimation of his talents when they were undervalued. For Angelo Doni, a Florentine of taste, he painted a holy family, and sent it home with a note requiring seventy ducats for it. Doni told the messenger he thought forty were enough; Michael replied by demanding the picture or a hundred; Doni said he was willing to pay the seventy; Michael demanded a hundred and forty, and Doni paid the sum. * * * * *