He had shown an attachment to me on account of the cause I had undertaken, and had given me privately assistance in it.

In serried ranks around me rise Two thousand tried and trusty friends; Instructive, famous, witty, wise, Each gladly his assistance lends To suit, at will, my varying mood; But none that aid will e'er intrude, Or break, unsought, my solitude.

Condivi says: "He finished the whole in twenty months, without having any assistance whatsoever, not even of a man to grind his colours."