OF LEONARDO DA VINCI.

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...[the fu]ry of the horses, and the oddity of the garments, one sees the heads of the combatants wrinkled, inflamed, and infuriated, with an air so extraordinary and extravagant, and—so to speak—caricatured Original: "caricata," meaning exaggerated or burdened, from which we get the modern word caricature., and like a grotesque mask Original: "mascarone," an architectural ornament representing a distorted face., that at the same time they awaken both fear and laughter in the minds of the beholders.

Returning to the first works of Leonardo da Vinci, Giorgio Vasari says that he began in an oil painting a head of Medusa of extravagant invention, which remained imperfect. He also gave a beginning to a panel of the Adoration of the Magi, in which there were some most beautiful heads; but it was never finished, as usually happened to most of his things. This was because, having an infinity of beautiful insights, and being of a lively nature and most fertile genius, no sooner had he begun a work than the thought of putting another into execution came to him. And besides the profession of painting, which by that most diligent manner embraced by him could have occupied him entirely, he attended to sculpture and modeled divinely well. He was most intelligent in geometry, and in mechanics he never ceased thinking of new devices, and was the inventor of diverse machines. He was a most excellent architect, and knew like no other the science of mirrors The study of optics and catoptrics. and perspective perspective: the mathematical art of representing three-dimensional depth on a flat surface. He also studied the properties of herbs Botany, and penetrating with his genius even into the heavens, he applied himself to the studies of astronomy, and made many observations regarding the motion of the stars. In music he turned out admirable, and was so graceful in singing and playing that he surpassed all the musicians of his time: and so that no virtue would be lacking in him, that same fury inspired in him by Apollo The Greek and Roman god of the arts and music; "furore" refers to divine creative inspiration. that made him a painter and musician, also made him a poet. But all his compositions having been lost, only this moral sonnet has reached us.

He who cannot do what he wants, let him want what he can,

For to want what cannot be done is folly.

Therefore, that man is to be held wise,

Who from that which he cannot do, withdraws his will.

Because all our delight and sorrow

Lies in knowing how to will and be able to say yes and no,

Therefore, only he can do what is right who with duty

Draws reason out of its sheath. Original: "foglia," literally leaf, but used here as a metaphor for a covering or husk.

Nor is it always right to want what a man is able to do,

Often what seems sweet turns bitter.

I have already wept for what I wanted once I had it.

Therefore you, reader of these notes,

If you wish to be good to yourself, and dear to others,

Always wish to be able to do what you ought.

He was also distracted by many pleasures, for he liked horses beyond measure and handled them with dexterity; and being no less agile and robust of limb than of beautiful presence, and graceful in every action, he was a distinguished fencer and swordsman. But above all, he delighted in conversing often with friends, and was so well-mannered in his dealings, and explained his thoughts with such grace and urbanity, that he drew to himself the souls of whoever listened to him.