single bed, in which we all four of us sleep. And I shall not be
able to receive him suitably. But if he will come all the same,
let him wait till I have cast the figure I am doing, and I will
send away Lapo and Lodovico who are helping me, and I will send
him a horse so that he may come decently and not like a beggar. No
more. Pray to God for me that things may go well.

"MICHAEL ANGELO, Sculptor, in Bologna."

Another letter tells of a visit from the Pope, troubles with his workmen,
and his usual generosity to his brothers and father.

"_To_ BUONARROTO DI LODOVICO SIMONE, _in Firenze_(91)

"To be delivered at the shop of Strozzi, wool merchant, in the
street of the Porta Rossa.

"BUONARROTO,--I hear by one of yours how things went about the
little farm; it is a great comfort to me and pleases me well, if
it is a sure thing. Of the affairs of Baronciello I am well
informed, and from what I understand it is a much more serious
thing than you make out; and for my part, it not being to my
taste, I do not ask it. We are all obliged to do all we can for
Baronciello, and so we will, especially everything that is in our
power. You must know that on Friday evening at twenty-one o'clock
Pope Julius came to my house where I work, and stayed about half
an hour while I was at work; then he gave me the benediction, and
went away, and showed himself well pleased with what I am doing.
For all this we must thank God heartily; and so I beg you to do,
and pray for me. I inform you further, how that on Friday morning
I sent away Lapo and Lodovico, who were with me. Lapo I dismissed
because he is good for nothing and a rogue, and would not serve
me. Lodovico is better, and I would have kept him another two
months; but Lapo, so as not to be the only one blamed, so
corrupted him that they both had to go. I write this not because I
care for them, for they are not worth three halfpence between
them, but because, if they come to talk to Lodovico, he must not
be surprised. Tell him by no means to lend them his ears; and if
you want to know about them go to Messer Agnolo, the Herald of the
Signoria, for I have written all the story to him, and he, out of
his kindness, will relate it to you. Of Giovansimone I have heard.
I shall be pleased if he goes to the shop of your master a