CHAPTER VII
THE RISEN CHRIST OF THE MINERVA
XXXIX. When he had finished this work Michael Angelo, because he had
painted so long a time with his eyes turned upwards towards the vault,
could hardly see anything when looking down, so that when he had to read a
letter or look at a minute object it was necessary for him to hold it
above his head. Nevertheless, little by little, he became able to again
read looking down. By this we are able to judge with how much attention
and assiduity he had carried out his work. Many other things happened to
him during the life of Pope Julius, who loved him from his heart, having a
more jealous care for him than for any one else he had about him, as one
may see clearly by what we have already written. Indeed, one day fearing
that Michael Angelo was angry, he immediately sent to pacify him. It
happened in this wise. Michael Angelo wanting to go to Florence for Saint
John's Day asked the Pope for money; and he demanded when his chapel would
be finished. Michael Angelo, as his custom was, replied, "_When I can_."
The Pope, who was of a hasty nature, struck him with a stick that he had
in his hand, saying: "_When I can, indeed; when I can!_" After he got home
Michael Angelo was preparing, without more ado, to go to Florence, when
Accursio arrived, a highly favoured young man, sent by the Pope, and
brought him five hundred ducats and pacified him as best he could, making
the Pope's excuses.
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