before-mentioned statues from him, as it had first been
promised to him, and as he threatened to do him an injury Michael Angelo
went back to Florence to accommodate matters,(21) as affairs had now
become quiet and he could live safely in his house. He remained with
Messer Gian Francesco Aldovrandi a little over a year.

CHAPTER II

THE BACCHUS AND THE MADONNA DELLA PIETA OF SAINT PETER'S

XVIII. Having returned to his native town Michael Angelo set to work to
carve out of marble a god of Love, between six and seven years of age,
lying asleep; this figure was seen by Lorenzo di Pier Francesco de' Medici
(for whom in the meantime Michael Angelo had carved a little Saint John),
and he judged that it was most beautiful and said of it: "_If you can
manage to make it look as if it had been buried under the earth I will
forward it to Rome, it will be taken for an antique and you will sell it
much better._" Michael Angelo hearing this immediately prepared it as one
from whom no craft was hidden, so that it looked as if it had been made
many years ago. In this state it was sent to Rome; the Cardinal di San
Giorgio bought it as an antique for two hundred ducats; though the man who
took all that money only paid thirty ducats to Michael Angelo as what he
had received for the Cupid. So much of a rogue was he that he deceived at
the same time both Lorenzo di Pier Francesco and Michael Angelo.(22) But
meanwhile it came to the ear of the Cardinal how the putto was made in
Florence. Angry at being made a fool of, he sent one of his gentlemen
there, who pretended to be looking for a sculptor to do some work in Rome.
After visiting many others he came to the house of Michael Angelo; with a
wary eye for what he wanted he observed the young man and inquired of him
if he could let him see any work; but Michael Angelo not having any to
show, took a pen (for in those days the pencil was not in general use) and
drew a hand with so much ease that the gentleman was astonished.
Afterwards he inquired if he had never done any works of sculpture. Yes,
replied Michael Angelo, and amongst the rest a Cupid, in such and such a
pose and action. The gentleman understood then that he had found the man
he sought, and narrated how the affair had gone, and promised him that if
he would come with him to Rome he would make the dealer disgorge, and
arrange matters with his lord which he knew would be much to his
satisfaction. Michael Angelo