'Strange,' observed Cesare, 'that he can reverence the sun, but appears not to recognise Him who, dying, was the vanquisher of death.'
'_In all parts of Europe, by great peoples, will be bewailed this day the death of a man who died in Asia_--'
'You don't understand, Giovanni. I will explain: he treats of Good Friday. Shall I go on?'
'_O mathematicians, throw light upon this error! Spirit exists not without body, and where is no flesh, nor blood, nerves, tongue, bone, and muscle, can be neither voice nor movement._'
'I can't make it out; the next lines are erased. We will pass to the end.'
'_Other definitions of spirit I leave to the Holy Fathers, who know the secrets of Nature by revelation from above._'
'H'm, I would not be Messer Leonardo if these lucubrations should fall into the hands of the Holy Fathers! Here we have another of his prophecies.'
'_Enough shall there be, who, leaving the ascesis of labour and poverty, think to serve God by living luxuriously in buildings like palaces, and in amassing visible wealth at the expense of the wealth invisible._'
'I conclude he here treats of Indulgences. Quite in Savonarola's vein! A stone slung at the pope.'
'_Those who have been dead a thousand years will be the food of the living._'
'That passes me! Nay, though, the thousand-year dead must be the saints in whose name the monks collect money. A pretty riddle!'
'_They shall adore those who do not hear; they shall burn lamps before those who do not see._'
'_Women shall disclose to men their passions, their secret and shameful deeds._'
'The confessional! How does it like you, Giovanni? A strange man, is he not? But there is no real malice in these riddles. It is only jest--sporting with blasphemy.'
'_Many who cozen the simple by dealing in pretended miracles, punish those who unmask their deceits._'
'The trial by fire, of which the reckless Savonarola was the victim.'
He laid down the book and looked at his companion.
'Well, is it enough? or do you want further proof?'
Boltraffio shook his head: 'No, Cesare, it is not enough. Could we but find a place where he speaks _plainly_!'
'Plainly? Ask not for that. Such is his disposition. He deals ever double, conceals himself, feigns like a woman. Riddles are his nature. Nor does he know himself. He is his own greatest enigma.'