We have
bought a piece of marble for a life size statue, and on Monday I
shall begin to work. On Monday last I presented your other letter of
recommendation to Rucellai, who offered me what money I might want;
also those to Cavalcanti. Afterwards I gave your letter to
Baldassare, and asked him for the child (the sleeping Cupid), saying
I was ready to refund his money. He answered very roughly, swearing
he would rather break it in a hundred pieces; he had bought the
child and it was his property; he possessed writing which proved
that he had satisfied the person who sent it to him, and was under
no apprehension that he should have to give it up. Then he
complained bitterly of you, saying that you had spoken ill of him.
Certain of our Florentines sought to accommodate matters, but failed
in their attempt. Now I look to coming to terms through the
Cardinal; for this is the advice of Baldassare Balducci. What ensues
I will report to you. No more by this. To you I recommend myself.
May God keep you from evil.
"Michael Angelo, in Rome.
"To Sandro Botticelli, at Florence."
(Gotti, ii. 32.)
25 This ugly, but marvellously-finished statue is now in the western
corridor of the Uffizi, in Florence. See p.
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