Michael Angelo, who was working
with love and diligence at the tomb of Julius, made all the resistance
that he could, saying that he was bound to Cardinal Santi Quattro and to
Aginense, and could not fail them. But the Pope, who was determined in
this matter, replied: "_Leave me to deal with them; I will content them._"
So he sent for both of them and made them release Michael Angelo, much to
the sorrow both of himself and the Cardinals, especially of Aginense,
nephew, as has been said, of Pope Julius, for whom, however, Pope Leo
promised that Michael Angelo should work in Florence, and that he would
not hinder him. In this fashion, weeping, Michael Angelo left the tomb and
betook himself to Florence. As soon as he arrived he put everything in
order for building the facade, he himself went to Carrara to transport
marbles, not only for the facade but also for the tomb, relying upon the
promise of the Pope that he would be able to go on with it. In the
meantime the Pope was informed that in the mountains of Pietrasanta, in
the Florentine territory, there were marbles as good and beautiful as at
Carrara. When this was discussed with Michael Angelo, he, as a friend of
the Marchese Alberigo, and having come to an understanding with him about
the marbles, preferred rather to quarry at Carrara than at these new
places in the State of Florence. The Pope wrote to Michael Angelo and
commanded him to go to Pietrasanta and see if it was as he heard from
Florence.
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