t of one thing after another until
finally he resolved to have the Day of the Last Judgment painted,
considering that the variety and grandeur of the subject would give a wide
field for this man to prove the power that was in him. Michael Angelo,
knowing the obligation he was under to the Duke of Urbino, endeavoured to
free himself from this new charge, but as he could not he put it off as
much as possible; whilst pretending to busy himself with the cartoon, as
he partly did, he was secretly working at the statues for the Tomb.

CHAPTER IX

THE LAST ACT OF THE TRAGEDY OF THE TOMB, AND THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

L. Meanwhile Pope Clement died and Paul III. was elected. He sent for
Michael Angelo and requested him to serve him. Michael Angelo, fearing
that he would be hindered in the work of the Tomb, replied that he could
not, for he was engaged by contract to the Duke of Urbino until he had
finished the work that he had in hand. The Pope was much annoyed, and
said: "_It is some thirty years that I have had this wish, shall I not
satisfy it now I am Pope? Where is the contract that I may tear it up?_"
Michael Angelo, seeing it had come to this, was for leaving Rome and
betaking himself to the country about Genoa, to an abbey of the Bishops of
Aleria, to a follower of Julius, very much his friend, and there bring his
work to an end. This place was conveniently near Carrara and good for
carrying the marbles by sea. He thought also of going to Urbino, where he
had formerly designed to live, as a quiet resting-place, and where, for
the sake of Julius, he would be welcomed cordially. For this reason he had
sent one of his men some months before to buy a house and some land; but
fearing the greatness of the Pontiff, with good reason, he did not go, and
hoped with soft words to satisfy the Pope.

LI. But the Pope continued firm in his proposals. One day he came to visit
Michael Angelo in his house, bringing with him eight or ten Cardinals. He
wished to see the cartoon for the wall of the Sistine Chapel made for
Clement, and the statues already carved for the Tomb, and minutely
examined everything. Then the Most Reverend Cardinal of Mantua, who was
present, seeing the Moses, of which we have already written, and of which
we will write more copiously by-and-bye, said: "_This statue alone is
enough to do honour to the Tomb of Pope Julius._" When Pope Paul had seen
everything he again asked Michael Angelo, in the presenc