statue, and many were the discussions
as to where it should be placed. Artists were never tired of giving
their opinion, and even of criticising the work. 'It seems to me,' said
one, 'that the nose is surely much too large for the face. Could you
not alter that?'

Michelangelo said nothing, but he mounted the scaffolding and pretended
to chip away at the nose with his chisel. Meanwhile he let drop some
marble chips and dust upon the head of the critic beneath. Then he came
down.

'Is that better?' he asked gravely.

'Admirable!' answered the artist. 'You have given it life.'

Michelangelo smiled to himself. How wise people thought themselves when
they often knew nothing about what they were talking! But the critic
was satisfied, and did not notice the smile.

It would fill a book to tell of all the work which Michelangelo did;
but although he began so much, a great deal of it was left unfinished.
If he had lived in quieter times, his work would have been more
complete; but one after another his patrons died, or changed their
minds, and set him to work at something else before he had finished
what he was doing.

The great tomb which Pope Julius had ordered him to make was never
finished, although Michelangelo drew out all the designs for it, and
for forty years was constantly trying to complete it. The Pope began to
think it was an evil omen to build his own tomb, so he made up his mind
that Michelangelo should instead set to work to fresco the ceiling of
the Sistine Chapel. In vain did the great sculptor repeat that he knew
but little of the art of painting.

'Didst thou not learn to mix colours in the studio of Master
Ghirlandaio?' said Julius. 'Thou hast but to remember the lessons he
taught thee. And, besides, I have heard of a great drawing of a
battle-scene which thou didst make for the Florentines, and have seen
many drawings of thine, one especially: a terrible head of a furious
old man, shrieking in his rage, such as no other hand than thine could
have drawn. Is there aught that thou canst not do if thou hast but the
will?'

And the Pope was right; for as soon as Michelangelo really made up his
mind to do the work, all difficulties seemed to vanish.

It was no easy task he had undertaken. To stand upright and cover vast
walls with painting is difficult enough, but Michelangelo was obliged
to lie flat upon a scaffolding and paint the ceiling above him. Even to
look up at that ceiling for ten minutes m