This was done not only by word of
mouth, but without his knowledge and consent it was inserted in the
written contract, not when it was sealed but when it was written out, at
which he was much disturbed. Nevertheless, the counsel persuaded him that
it would not prejudice his case, for it did not matter whether the
contract specified twenty thousand or one thousand scudi, since they were
agreed that the scheme of the Tomb should now be reduced in scale
according to the amount of money actually received, adding that nobody but
themselves would question the proceeding, and his interests were secured
by the understanding that was between them. So with this Michael Angelo
was pacified, because it appeared to him that he might put his trust in
them, as also because he desired that this excuse should serve him with
the Pope for the purpose mentioned above. And thus the matter ended for
the time; but it was not nearly over yet, because after he had served the
four months at Florence and returned to Rome, the Pope sought to use him
in another way, by making him paint the end wall of the Sistine Chapel.
And as one who had a good wit, he thought of one thing after another until
finally he resolved to have the Day of the Last Judgment painted,
considering that the variety and grandeur of the subject would give a wide
field for this man to prove the power that was in him. Michael Angelo,
knowing the obligation he was under to the Duke of Urbino, endeavoured to
free himself from this new charge, but as he could not he put it off as
much as possible; whilst pretending to busy himself with the cartoon, as
he partly did, he was secretly working at the statues for the Tomb.
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