t to relieve him
of the burden of the Tomb of Julius, so that he might settle in Florence
permanently, not only to finish the works already begun, but that he might
execute others no less worthy.

XLVII. But before I say any more about this it behoves me to write of
another fact concerning Michael Angelo, which I have inadvertently
omitted. After the violent departure of the Medici from Florence, the
Signoria fearing, as I have said above, the coming war, and intending to
fortify their city, sent for Michael Angelo, as they knew him to be a man
of consummate ingenuity and most active in whatever he undertook;
nevertheless, by the advice of certain citizens who favoured the cause of
the Medici and wished covertly to hinder or delay the fortification of the
city, they sent him to Ferrara, under pretext that he should study the
system by which Duke Alfonso had armed and fortified his city, knowing
that his Excellency was most expert in these matters and in everything
else most prudent. The Duke received Michael Angelo gladly, not only for
the great worthiness of the man, but also because Don Ercole, his son and
now Duke in his stead, was Captain of the Signoria of Florence. The Duke
riding with him in person there was nothing that he did not show him, even
more than was needful, so many bastions, so many pieces of artillery, and,
indeed, he opened to him his cabinet also and showed him everything with
his own hands, especially certain works of painting and portraits of his
ancestors, by masters excellent in their day.(52) But when Michael Angelo
had to depart, the Duke said to him jestingly: "_Michael Angelo, you are
my prisoner. If you want me to let you go free you must promise to do some
work for me with your own hands, whatever suits you best, let it be what
you will, sculpture or painting._" Michael Angelo agreed, and returned to
Florence. Although much occupied in arming the country, yet he began a
large easel picture, representing Leda and the Swan, and near by the egg
from which Castor and Pollux were born, as is fabled by ancient writers.
When the Duke heard that the Medici had entered Florence, fearing to lose
so great a treasure in the tumult, he immediately sent one of his own
people. His man, when he came to the house of Michael Angelo and saw the
picture, said: "_Why! this is but a small matter._" Michael Angelo asked
him what his business was? Realising that every one thinks they know other
people's business