ccess to his Holiness, heard it from his lips
with my own ears, and more also, that if he survives him, as in the
natural course of life is probable, he will have Michael Angelo's body
embalmed and keep it near him, so that it should be as lasting as his
works. He said this at the beginning of his Pontificate to Michael Angelo
himself in the presence of many. I do not know what could be more
honourable to Michael Angelo than these words, or a greater proof of the
esteem in which the Pope holds him.

LIX. Again the Pope showed his esteem plainly when Pope Paul died and he
was created Pontiff, in a consistory, all the Cardinals then in Rome being
present. He defended Michael Angelo and protected him from the overseers
of the fabric of St. Peter's, who, for no fault of his, as they said, but
of his servants, wished to deprive him of, or at least to restrain, that
authority given him by Pope Paul by a _moto proprio_, of which more will
be said below. He defended him, and not only confirmed the _moto proprio_
but honoured him by many kind words, not lending his ears to the quarrels
of the overseers or anybody else. Michael Angelo knows (as many times he
has told me) the love and kindness of his Holiness towards him, and how he
respects him; and because he cannot requite the Pope with his services,
and show his love, he will regret all the rest of his life that he seems
useless and appears ungrateful to his Holiness. One thing comforts him
somewhat (as he is accustomed to say); knowing the wisdom of his Holiness
he hopes to be excused, and being unable to give more, that his good will
may be accepted. Nor does he refuse, as far as he has the power, and for
all he may be worth, to spend his life in his service; this I have from
his own mouth. Nevertheless, at the request of his Holiness, Michael
Angelo designed the facade of a palace that the Pope had a mind to build
in Rome, a thing new and original to those who have seen it--not bound to
any laws, ancient or modern, as in many other works of his in Florence and
in Rome--proving that architecture has not been so arbitrarily handled in
the past that there is not room for fresh invention no less delightful and
beautiful.

LX. Now to return to anatomy. He gave up dissection because it turned his
stomach so that he could neither eat nor drink with benefit. It is very
true that he did not give up until he was so learned and rich in such
knowledge that he often had in his mind the