was interrupted again, for
they charged Michael Angelo with having received from Julius for this work
quite sixteen thousand scudi, and that he did not trouble himself to get
on with it, but stayed at Florence for his own pleasure. All these
accusations called for his presence in Rome; but the Cardinal de' Medici,
who afterwards became Pope Clement VII., and who then had the government
of Florence in his hand, did not wish him to go; and to keep him employed,
and to have an excuse, he made him begin the Medici Library in San
Lorenzo, and at the same time the sacristy with the tombs of his
ancestors, promising to satisfy the Pope for him, and arrange matters.
Then Adrian living only a few months and Clement succeeding him in the
Papacy, nothing more was said about the Tomb of Julius for some time. But
Michael Angelo was advised that the Duke of Urbino, Francesco Maria,
nephew of Pope Julius of happy memory, complained greatly of him, and
menaced him with vengeance if he did not quickly come to Rome. Michael
Angelo conferred with Pope Clement about the affair, and he counselled him
to call the agents of the Duke and prepare an account with them of all
that he had received from Julius and all the work he had done for him,
knowing that if Michael Angelo's work were properly estimated he would
turn out to be the creditor rather than the debtor. Michael Angelo
remained in Rome about this against his will; and having arranged affairs
returned to Florence, principally because he anticipated the ruin that a
little while afterwards came upon Rome.

XLI. In the meantime the House of Medici was driven out of Florence by the
opposing faction, because they had taken more authority to themselves than
could be suffered in a free city that ruled herself by her Republic. As
the Signoria did not expect that the Pope would do anything to forego his
family's authority they expected certain war, and turned their minds to
the fortifications of their city, and appointed Michael Angelo
Commissary-General for that work. He then, accepting this preferment,
besides many other preparations carried out by him on every side of the
city, encircled with strong fortifications the hill of San Miniato, that
stands above the city and overlooks the surrounding plain. If the enemy
took this hill nothing could prevent him becoming master of the city also.
This fort was judged to be the saving of the country, and very dangerous
to the enemy; being, as I have s