On the 24th of June, 1518, he began to write in his note-book, but got no further than the date—"Il di di San Giovanni, Amboise, nel palazzo di Clou." It was the Feast of St. John, a day dear to every citizen of Florence. He lingered through the next winter until, on Easter Eve, April 23, feeling his end near, he sent for a notary and dictated his last will. He left his books and drawings to Francesco Melzi, and divided his vineyard in Milan between his old pupil Salaï and his faithful servant Battista. His French maid-servant, Mathurine, was to be given a gown and mantle of good black cloth, trimmed with fur, and two ducats, in gratitude for her services. Even his quarrelsome brothers were remembered, and the sum of 400 crowns, which he had left in the bank at S. Maria Nuova, was to be divided between them. Ten days afterwards, on the 2nd of May, 1519, Leonardo passed away, and the peace of his last moments recalls his own words: "As a well-spent day gives joy in sleep, so a well-spent life brings joy in dying" (dà lieto morire). Melzi announced his beloved master's death to his brothers in Florence in these touching words:—
"I think you have already been informed of the death of Maestro Leonardo, your brother, and to me the best of fathers. I can never tell you how much sorrow this has caused me. It is a loss that, as long as I live, I can never cease to feel; and this is only natural, for he daily showed me the warmest and most devoted affection. All men must lament the death of such a man. May God Almighty give him eternal peace! He left this life on the 2nd of May, well prepared with all the Sacraments of our holy Mother the Church."
