Rinaldi. The change in my life. For a time, I was threatened with nervous prostration, but my physician prescribed a severe regimen. "Control yourself," he said. "Remember, neurasthenia is no longer in fashion. The reign of nerves is at an end; this season we shall have a renascence of muscle."
Leonardo. You are planning to be the Michael Angelo of this renascence?
Rinaldi. Fortunately, I had no difficulty in accommodating myself to the change. Heaven directed my feet to the path of salvation.
Leonardo. Without elephants?
Rinaldi. Don't recall those absurdities! I have put such trifles behind me. During one of my walks in the country, I stopped at the door of a Franciscan monastery. It occurred to me to go in. A pale-faced friar with a long, bushy beard was preaching. What a sermon that was! How he did preach about love, human and divine!
Leonardo. You could have preached upon the former with greater show of authority.
Rinaldi. You are laughing at me. I was converted upon the spot. Now, I hear him preach every afternoon. He is a second St. Francis. I am organizing a series of festivals for the restoration of the convent.
Leonardo. Poor saint! The temptations of St. Anthony will be nothing to his.
Rinaldi. You must not say that; you don't know him.
Leonardo. I know you.
Rinaldi. I accept the aspersions of the world as just penance for my sins; I could even wish to have people think worse of me. In pursuance of my plan, I am soliciting from door to door. Of course I may count upon you and Imperia? Will you send me one of your works for my kermess?
