nd is
careful to do his best; and so comfort him, because, if all goes
well, I have hopes of placing you both in a good position, if you
will be discreet. About that land which is beside that of Mona
(92) Zanobia, if Lodovico likes it, tell him to see about it and
let me know. I think, according to what is rumoured here, the Pope
will leave about the time of Carnival.

"The first day of February, 1506.

"MICHAEL ANGELO DI LODOVICO
"DI BUONARROTA SIMONI,
"Sculptor, in Bologna."

Notwithstanding this warning, the silly old man, his father, wrote a
scolding letter to his son about the workmen. Michael Angelo's humble
reply was dated February 8, 1507.(93)

"MOST REVERED FATHER,--I have received a letter from you to-day,
from which I learn that you have been talked to by Lapo and
Lodovico. I am glad that you should rebuke me, because I deserve
to be rebuked as a miserable sinner, as much as any one, perhaps
more. But you must know that I have not been guilty in this affair
for which you blame me now."

He goes on to explain his dealings with the rogue Lapo. There is also
trouble about a sword-hilt(94) Michael Angelo had designed for Pietro
Aldobrandini. However, Aldobrandini objected that the blade was too short.
Michael Angelo affirmed that it was ordered exactly to the measure sent,
and bade his brother present it to Filippo Strozzi as a compliment from
the Buonarroti family; but the stupid fellow bungled it in some way, for
Michael Angelo writes to say that he is sorry "he behaved so scurvily
towards Filippo in so trifling an affair."

Michael Angelo must have spent his spare time in studying the bas-reliefs
by Jacopo della Quercia upon the facade of San Petronio, for he used many
of the motives in his next great work, the Sistine vault. When the wax
model of the statue of Pope Julius was ready, Michael Angelo sent to
Florence for the ordnance founder to the Republic, Maestro dal Ponte, of
Milan, to cast it for him. This master's leave of absence was signed on
May 15, 1507. Just before the casting Michael Angelo wrote to Buonarroto:--

"_To_ BUONARROTO DI LODOVICO SIMONI, _in Florence, at the Shop of_
LORENZO STROZZI, _Wool Merchant, in Porta Rossa, Florence_.

"BUONARROTO,--I have received yours by the hand o