The Roman History (Res Gestae)

I was able to approach that perfection of life which the wise held to be their goal. Since there were no shadows or darkness to prevent me from knowing that which I was previously barred from investigating, I was permitted to drink abundantly of the charm of all the Graces and Venuses—which I had heard were full of such studies—and at the same time to feed my eyes, hands, and feet by roaming through those most noble spaces of the S. Laurentii Saint Lawrence (referring to the Laurentian Library in Florence) archives. What, then, when that crowd of various things occurred to me, which would be so beneficial if they were not hidden, and of which I had neither heard mentioned in speech nor ever perceived the names? When it was permitted to me to see and examine these things in part, and in part to cast them onto other papers with my own hand: did I not rightly think that the names of the Idæorum Dactylorum Idaean Dactyls (mythical beings associated with the discovery of metallurgy and the arts) were being poured into my knowledge? The heathens wrongly and foolishly believed that their life was saved from terrors by their majesty. I, however, did not foresee then, any more than I have since experienced, that these were the principles and, indeed, the foundations of a life to be lived properly in those times of tranquil leisure, in those times of secret wisdom. Indeed, in that preliminary study, these things satisfied me so much that, unmindful of all other things, I was carried away into new and true gardens—not of the Hesperides, but of Abundance itself or of the Peace-bringing Minerva—and I rejoiced to enjoy such a holy fellowship of names and previous labors. I looked upon each cabinet as an altar dedicated by the divine Medicean heroes to the height of their intellects, among which I walked and worked like one of the Brachmanum Brahmins, as this writer himself testifies, and I cared nothing for the other reasons for which foreigners visit Italy. Furthermore, this mind of mine, fixed upon that august receptacle of the Muses, was able to please Your Highness; and so that you might propagate this diligence of mine by nurturing it, Lord, and whatever I might collect in silent seclusion, it might be referred to some use—by what felicity of Your auspices, by what proofs of Your munificence, have You ordered me to live?