ICHELAGNOLO BUONARROTI."

While these matters were being discussed, and the Florentine colony
was seeking to raise money, certain difficulties arose, on account of
which they came to no decision, and the affair grew cold. Meanwhile,
Vasari and Ammanati having by this time had all the marbles quarried
at Carrara, a great part of them were sent to Rome, and with them
Ammanati, through whom Vasari wrote to Buonarroti that he should
ascertain from the Pope where he wanted the tomb, and, after receiving
his orders, should have the work begun. The moment that Michelagnolo
received the letter, he spoke to his Holiness; and with his own hand
he wrote the following resolution to Vasari:

"_13th of October_, 1550.

"MY DEAR MESSER GIORGIO,

"The instant that Bartolommeo arrived here, I went to speak to the
Pope, and, having perceived that he wished to begin the work once more
at the Montorio, in the matter of the tombs, I looked for a mason from
S. Pietro. 'Tantecose'[3] heard this and insisted on sending one of
his choosing, and I, to avoid contending with a man who commands the
winds, have retired from the matter, because, he being a light-minded
person, I would not care to be drawn into any entanglement. Enough
that in my opinion there is no more thought to be given to the Church
of the Florentines. Fare you well, and come back soon. Nothing else
occurs to me."

[Footnote 3: Busybody, or Jack-of-all-Trades.]

Michelagnolo used to call Monsignor di Forli "Tantecose," because he
insisted on doing everything himself. Being Chamberlain to the Pope,
he had charge of the medals, jewels, cameos, little figures in bronze,
pictures, and drawings, and desired that everything should depend on
him. Michelagnolo was always anxious to avoid the man, because he had
been constantly working against the master's interests, and therefore
Buonarroti feared lest he might be drawn into some entanglement by the
intrigues of such a man. In short, the Florentine colony lost a very
fine opportunity for that church, and God knows when they will have
such another; and to me it was an indescribable grief. I have desired
not to omit to make this brief record, to the end that it may be seen
that our Michelagnolo always sought to help his fellow-countrymen and
his friends, and also art.

Vasari had scarcely returned to Rome, when, before the beginning of
the year 1551, the San Gallo faction arranged a