Michelangelo Hands The Renaissance Baton To William Shakespeare

Not marble, nor the gilded monuments
Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme…

Michelangelo by his student Daniele da Volterra, 1544. Image: Rochester University

Now hath my life across a stormy sea
Like a frail bark reached that wide port where all
Are bidden, ere the final reckoning fall
Of good and evil for eternity.
Now know I well how that fond phantasy
Which made my soul the worshiper and thrall
Of…