Giovanni di Carlo Strozzi on Buonarroti’s sculpture ‘Night’ –

‘Night as you here behold her gracefully

In slumber here was sculpted by an angel

And this still stone because it sleeps has life

If you doubt it wake her she will speak to you’

Buonarroti’s response –

‘I love to sleep still more to be of stone

While shame and ruin their dominion keep

Not to see nor feel is my great fortune

Speak quietly now why rouse me from my sleep?’