which is four palms five inches high, while the frieze is four palms and a half, the cornice being four palms and two thirds, with a projection of five palms; and over this is a range of balusters, to the end that one may walk around in security.[1] For the more commodious ascent to the platform whence the columns ascend, there is another fiight of steps, with two branches, which rise to the summit of the columns, capitals, architrave, frieze, and cornice; so that this staircase, without interrupting the light of the windows, passes at the upper end into a spiral stair of the same breadth until it attains to the platform, whence the Cupola begins to turn.
All these arrangements, division^ and decorations are so varied, commodious, strong, and rich, the base gives such effectual support to the two vaults of the Cupola which are turned upon it, the whole work is so admirably conceived and so ably executed, that the eyes of one who understands and is capable of judging, can see nothing more graceful, more beautiful, or more ingenious. As to the masonry, and all that respects the stability of the work, every part has received the utmost strength and power of duration, while infinite judgment is displayed in the conduits for carrying off* water by concealed channels, and in every other minutia: at a word, the whole work, so far as it has hitherto proceeded, is brought to such perfection that all other edifices ^rink into nothing when compared therewith. Very deeply it is to be regretted that those in power have not put everything into Michelagnolo’s hands, to the end that before the death of this extraordinary man we might have had this immense and beautiful erection completed. Up to this point Michelagnolo has finished the masonry of the building, it now remains that we commence the vaulting of the Cupola, of which, since we have the model, we will continue to describe the arrangement as he has left it to us. The centres of the arches are directed on three points which form a triangle as below.
A B
C
The lowermost, or point C, determines the form, height, and width of the first half circle of the Tribune,[2] which
