Until
1533 Michael Angelo worked at the Medici monuments. The ever recurring
trouble about the Tomb of Julius distracted him in 1532; a new contract
was made out in the May of that year, and Michael Angelo evidently
expected that he would have to go to Rome about it. This may be gathered
from the important letter written on February 24, 1531, by Sebastiano del
Piombo, in Rome, to Michael Angelo, in Florence; it marks the renewal of
the intercourse of the two old friends after the dangers and troubles they
had passed through during the siege of Florence and the sack of Rome.
Sebastiano's previous letter, as far as we know, is dated April 25, 1525:--
_1531, 24th February._
"MY DEAREST COMRADE,--By Master Domenico, called Menichella, who
has been to see me on your behalf. God knows how dear it was to
me. After so many sorrows, hardships, and dangers, Almighty God
has left us alive and well in His mercy and pity. A fact truly
miraculous when I think over it; everlasting thanks to His Divine
Majesty, and if I could express to you with my pen the anxiety and
worry I have had on your account you would marvel at it. The
Signor Fernando di Gonzaga will bear me witness, and God knows
what sorrow I had when I heard you had been to Venice. If you had
found me at Venice things would have been very different; but
enough. Now gossip mine, now that we have been through fire and
water, and experienced things one could never have imagined, let
us thank God for all things, and for the little life that is left
to us; at least, let us spend it in what quiet we may.
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