chael Angelo about them, not even in design.

Meanwhile Francesco Maria, Duke of Urbino, the executor of Julius, was
pressing the affair of the Tomb; he threatened a lawsuit to recover money
advanced for the work. Michael Angelo appeals to the Pope in a letter
addressed to Giovanni Spina, of April 19, 1525:--

[Image #36]

THE TOMB OF GIULIANO DE' MEDICI, DUKE OF NEMOURS

THE NEW SACRISTY, SAN LORENZO, FLORENCE
(_By permission of the Fratelli Alinari, Florence_)

"It seems to me it is no good sending a power of attorney about
the Tomb of Pope Julius, because I do not want to plead. They
cannot bring a suit against me if I acknowledge that I am in the
wrong; so I assume that I have sued and lost, and have to pay; and
this I am disposed to do if I am able. Therefore, if the Pope will
help me in this, as intermediary, and it would be the greatest
blessing to me, seeing that I am not able to finish the said Tomb
of Julius, both on account of my age and infirmity, he might
express his will that I should repay what I have received for
doing it, so as to release me of this burden, and so that the
relatives of Pope Julius, with this repayment, may have the work
done to their satisfaction by any one they like. Thus his Holiness
our Lord could please me very greatly. Still, I wish to pay back
as little as possible in reason. Making them listen to some of my
arguments, such as the time spent for the Pope at Bologna, and
other time lost without any payment, as Ser Giovanni Francesco,
whom I have informed of everything, knows. As soon as I know
clearly what I have to restore, I will make a division of what I
have, sell, and arrange my affairs so as to repay all. Then I
shall be able to think of the Pope's business, and work. If this
is not done I cannot work. There is no way more safe for myself,
nor more agreeable, nor more likely to clear my spirit. It can be
done amicably without a lawsuit. I pray to God that the Pope may
become willing to arrange it in this fashion, for it does not seem
to me that any one else can do it."(133)

Michael Angelo had a wholesome fear of the law, not because he was guilty
but because of the power of his antagonist. There can be no doubt that he
was perfectly honest in these transactions, and, as Pope Clement said, he
was