Nanni got it transferred to him
by the influence of his friends with the new Pope. The man laid his
foundations badly. Michael Angelo, riding over the new bridge one day with
Vasari, cried out: "Giorgio, the bridge shakes beneath us; let us spur on
before it gives way with us upon it." Ultimately the prophecy was
fulfilled, and the bridge fell during a great inundation. Its ruins are
known as the Ponte Rotto to this day.
Julius III. died in 1555, and Cardinal Marcello Cervini was elected in his
stead, under the title of Marcellus II. He had been Michael Angelo's
adversary at the great conference, so the hopes of the Setti Sangalleschi
revived, and Michael Angelo began to think of accepting the oft-repeated
invitations of the Duke of Tuscany, who had long pressed him to come and
reside again in Florence, and dignify his native city with his presence
during his remaining years; but Marcellus died after a reign of only a few
weeks, and Pius IV., the next Pope, persuaded Michael Angelo not to
forsake his work at Saint Peter's. In a letter to Vasari, intended for the
ears of the Duke, Michael Angelo states his mind.(166)
"_To_ MESSER GIORGIO, _Excellent Painter, in Florence._
"I was set to work upon Saint Peter's by force, and I have served
now about eight years, not only for nothing, but with the utmost
injury and discomfort to myself. Now that the work is getting
forward, and there is money to spend, and I am about to turn the
vault of the cupola, if I left Rome it would be the ruin of the
edifice, and for me a great disgrace throughout all Christendom,
and to my soul a grievous sin.
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