Notwithstanding his acquaintance with the man, perhaps because of it, Benvenuto's allocution caused the worthy governor the most profound dismay. He was a Florentine, one Master Georgio, a knight of the Ugolini, and an excellent man, but somewhat weak in the head. However, he soon recovered from his first surprise, and ordered Benvenuto to be taken to the highest cell in the castle. The platform was immediately above it; a sentinel was stationed on the platform, and another sentinel at the foot of the wall.
The governor called the prisoner's attention to these details, and when he thought that he had had time to digest them, he said:—
"My dear Benvenuto, one may open locks, force doors, dig out from an underground dungeon, make a hole through a wall, bribe sentinels and put jailers to sleep; but without wings one cannot descend to earth from this height."
"I will do it, nevertheless," said Cellini.
The governor looked him in the eye, and began to think that his prisoner was mad.
"Why, in that case, you propose to fly?"
"Why not? I have always believed that man can fly, but I have lacked time to make the experiment. Here I shall have time enough, and, pardieu! I mean to solve the problem. The adventure of Dædalus is history, not fable."
"Beware the sun, dear Benvenuto," sneeringly replied the governor; "beware the sun."
"I will fly away by night," said Benvenuto.
The governor was not expecting that reply, so that he had no suitable repartee at hand, and withdrew in a rage.