best, he replied simpering, "_I am a merchant_;" perhaps
disgusted by such a question, and not being taken for a gentleman, while
at the same time despising the industry of the Florentine citizens, who
for the most part are merchants, as if he had said: "_You ask what is my
business, would you ever believe that I am a merchant?_" Michael Angelo
heard what he said, and replied: "_You have done bad business for your
lord; leave my sight._" So having dismissed the Ducal messenger, he gave
the picture shortly afterwards to one of his assistants, who had two
sisters to marry off. It was sent into France, where it still is,(53) and
was bought by King Francis.

XLVIII. Now to return, Michael Angelo having been called to Rome by Pope
Clement, thereupon began the affair with the Duke of Urbino's agents
concerning the Tomb of Julius. Clement, who wished to employ him in
Florence, tried by every means to free him, and gave him for his attorney
one Messer Tommaso, of Prato, who afterwards became Datario. But Michael
Angelo, who knew and feared the ill-will of Duke Alessandro towards him,
and at the same time loved and revered the bones of Pope Julius, and all
the illustrious House della Rovere, did all he could to remain in Rome and
work at the Tomb; the more so because he was accused by every one of
having received from Pope Julius for that purpose fully sixteen thousand
scudi, and of having enjoyed it without doing what he had undertaken. As
he held his honour dear he could not bear the disgrace, and desired that
the affair should be cleared up, not refusing, although he was old, the
heavy task he had begun. It came to this pass: the adversaries were unable
to prove payments that came within a long way of the sum they had at first
stated; on the contrary, more than two-thirds were wanting of the entire
sum agreed upon by the two Cardinals. Clement thought this a fine
opportunity to get rid of the business, and to leave Michael Angelo free
to serve him. He called him and said: "_Come, tell me, you wish to
complete this tomb; but you want to know who is to pay for the rest of
it._" Michael Angelo, who knew the Pope's mind, and that he wished to make
use of him himself, replied: "_And what if some one were found who would
pay me?_" Pope Clement said to him: "_You are quite mad if you imagine
that any one is likely to come forward to offer you a penny._" So when
Messer Tommaso, his attorney, appeared in court making his proposition to