miraculous when I think over it; everlasting thanks to His Divine
Majesty, and if I could express to you with my pen the anxiety and
worry I have had on your account you would marvel at it. The
Signor Fernando di Gonzaga will bear me witness, and God knows
what sorrow I had when I heard you had been to Venice. If you had
found me at Venice things would have been very different; but
enough. Now gossip mine, now that we have been through fire and
water, and experienced things one could never have imagined, let
us thank God for all things, and for the little life that is left
to us; at least, let us spend it in what quiet we may. Verily, we
must put no faith in fortune, she is so perverse and sad. I am
come to this; for aught I care the universe may be ruined. I
should laugh at everything. Menichella will tell you by word of
mouth of my life and how I am. I do not as yet seem to myself to
be the same Bastiano that I was before the sack. I cannot collect
my thoughts. I say no more. Christ keep you well.

"The 24th day of February, 1531, in Rome.

"About your coming here, according to what Master Menichella tells
me, it does not seem to be necessary, unless you come for a jaunt
or to put your house in order; which, in truth, is going to the
bad in more ways than one, as in the roofs and other things. I
suppose you know that the workshop, with the carved marbles in,
has tumbled to pieces; it is a great pity. You will be able to
remedy this and make some arrangements. As for me I should dearly
love to enjoy your company for a while; truly I am dying to see
you. I am all impatience; but do as you think best.

"Your very faithful gossip,

"SEBASTIANO LUCIANIS.

"LORD MICHAEL ANGELO DE BONAROTIS,

"Most rare Sculptor, in Florence."

[Image #39]

APOLLO

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, THE BARGELLO, FLORENCE
(_By permission from the photograph by Sig. G. Brugi, Florence_)

Sebastiano continued his good services to his friend with regard to the
Tomb of Julius all through 1531. The course of events may be followed in
his letters. The Pope was interested, and always consulted, in the affair,
and most favourably disposed to Michael Angelo. All this a