ho, when he examined the fresco,
saw that the plaster had been applied too wet, and the dampness running
down caused this effect; and informing Michael Angelo of this he made him
proceed, and the excuse was unavailing.

XXXVII. Whilst he was painting Pope Julius went to see the work many
times, ascending the scaffolding by a ladder, Michael Angelo giving him
his hand to assist him on to the highest platform. And, like one who was
of a vehement nature, and impatient of delay, when but one half of the
work was done, the part from the door to the middle of the vault,(44) he
insisted upon having it uncovered, although it was still incomplete and
had not received the finishing touches. Michael Angelo's fame, and the
expectation they had of him, drew the whole of Rome to the chapel, where
the Pope also rushed, even before the dust raised by the taking down the
scaffolding had settled.

XXXVIII. After this, Raphael, having seen this new and marvellous manner
as one who excelled in imitating, tried by the aid of Bramante to get the
rest of the chapel to paint. Michael Angelo was much troubled, came before
the Pope, and bitterly complained of the injury Bramante was doing him;
and in his presence grieved over it with the Pope, discovering to him all
the persecution he had suffered from him, and afterwards unfolded to him
many of Bramante's shortcomings, principally that in pulling down the old
church of Saint Peter's he threw to earth those marvellous columns that
were therein, not respecting them or caring whether they were broken to
pieces or not, when he might have lowered them gently and preserved them
whole; explaining how it was an easy thing to pile brick on brick, but to
make such a column was most difficult, and many other things that it was
most necessary to relate; so that the Pope, hearing of all these sad
doings, willed that Michael Angelo should continue the work, showing him
more favour than ever. He finished all this work in twenty months(45)
without assistance,(46) not even any one to grind the colours. It is true
that I have heard him say that the work is not finished as he would have
wished, as he was prevented by the hurry of the Pope, who demanded of him
one day when he would finish the chapel. Michael Angelo said: "_When I
can_." The Pope, angered, added: "_Do you want me to have you thrown down
off this scaffolding?_" Michael Angelo, hearing this, said to himself:
"_Nay, you shall not have me thrown down_,