hall it be?" asked Michelangelo.

"Oh, anything you please," replied Piero; "only don't keep us waiting
here in the cold all day!"

Young Angelo cast one proud look of contempt toward the group and set to
work making a statue. In ten minutes he had formed a satyr that bore such
a close resemblance to Piero that the guests roared with laughter. "That
will do," called Piero; "like Deity, you make things in your own image."
Some of the company tossed silver coin at the young man, but he let the
money lie where it fell.

Michel at this time was applying himself to the study of anatomy, and
giving his attention to literature under the tutorship of the famous poet
and scholar, Poliziano, who resided at the court.

So filled was the young man's mind with his work that he was blind to the
discontent arising in the State. To the young, governments and
institutions are imperishable. Piero by his selfish whims had been
digging the grave of the Medici. From sovereignty they were flung into
exile. The palace was sacked, the beautiful gardens destroyed, and
Michelangelo, being regarded as one of the family, was obliged to flee
for his life. He arrived in Bologna penniless and friendless, and applied
to a sculptor for work. "What can you do?" the old sculptor asked. For
answer, Michelangelo silently took a crayon and sketched a human hand on
the wall. Marvelous were the lines! The master put his arms around the
boy and kissed his cheek.

This new-found friend took him into his house, and placed him at his own
table. Michelangelo was led into the library and workrooms, and told
that all was his to use as he liked.

The two years he remained at Bologna were a great benefit to the young
man. The close contact with cultured minds, and the encouragement he
received, spurred his spirit to increased endeavor. It was here that he
began that exquisite statue of a Cupid that passed for an antique, and
found its way into the cabinet of the Duchess of Mantua.

Before long the discovery was made that the work was done by a young man
only a little past twenty, and Cardinal San Giorgio sent a message
inviting him to Rome.

* * * * *

Rome had long been the Mecca of the boy's ambitions, and he joyously
accepted the invitation. At Rome he was lodged in the Vatican, and
surrounded by that world of the beautiful, he went seriously about his
life's work. The Church must have the credit for being the mother of
mod