ting him with three thousand scudi for his journey whenever he
should go. Il Bruciolo was sent to Rome by the Signoria of Venice to
invite him to come and dwell in that city, and to offer him a provision of
six hundred scudi a year, not binding him to anything, only that he should
honour the Republic with his presence; with the condition also that if he
did any work in her service he should be paid for it as if he received no
pension from them at all. These are not ordinary doings that happen every
day, but new and out of the common use, and would only happen to singular
and most excellent worth, as was that of Homer, for whom many cities
contested, each one appropriating him as her own.

LVIII. He is held of no less account, than by those already named, by the
present Pontiff, Julius III., a Prince of supreme wisdom and a lover and
patron of all the arts; but particularly inclined to painting, sculpture,
and architecture, as may be clearly known by the works he has done in the
Palazzo and the Belvedere, and now has ordered for his villa Giulia (a
memorial and scheme worthy of a noble and generous soul like his). It is
filled with so many statues, ancient and modern, so great variety of
beautiful stones, precious columns, plaster work, paintings, and every
other kind of ornament, of which I will write another time, as a unique
work, not yet in its perfection, requires. He does not ask Michael Angelo
to work for him. Having respect for his age, he understands well and
appreciates his greatness; but wishes not to overburden him. This regard,
in my judgment, brings Michael Angelo more honour than all his employment
under the other Popes. It is, however, true, that in the paintings and
architecture that his Holiness is continually having done, he almost
always seeks Michael Angelo's advice and judgment, frequently sending the
artists to seek him at his house. It grieves me, and it grieves also his
Holiness, that by reason of a certain natural timidity, or let us say
respect and reverence, which some call pride, Michael Angelo does not
profit by the goodwill, kindness, and liberality of so great a Pontiff and
so much his friend. As I first heard from the most Reverend Monsignor di
Forli, his chamberlain, the Pope has often said that (if it were possible)
he would willingly take from his own years and his own blood to add to the
life of Michael Angelo, that the world might not so soon be deprived of
such a man. I also, having a