to “escape into a place of safety, abandoning their household gear and property; for life is far more worth than money.”  If they are in need of cash, they may draw upon his credit with the Spedalingo of S. Maria Novella.  The constitutional liability to panic which must be recognised in Michelangelo emerges at the close of the letter.  “As to public events, do not meddle with them either by deed or word.  Act as though the plague were raging.  Be the first to fly.”  The Buonarroti did not take his advice, but remained at Florence, enduring agonies of terror.  It was a time when disaffection toward the Medicean princes exposed men to risking life and limb.  Rumours reached Lodovico that his son had talked imprudently at Rome.  He wrote to inquire what truth there was in the report, and Michelangelo replied:  “With regard to the Medici, I have never spoken a single word against them, except in the way that everybody talks—­as, for instance, about the sack of Prato; for if the stones could have cried out, I think they would have spoken.  There have been many other things said since then, to which, when I heard them, I have answered:  ’If they are really acting in this way, they are doing wrong;’ not that I believed the reports; and God grant they are not true.  About a month ago, some one who makes a show of friendship for me spoke very evilly about their deeds.  I rebuked him, told him that it was not well to talk so, and begged him not to do so again to me.  However, I should like Buonarroto quietly to find out how the rumour arose of my having calumniated the Medici; for if it is some one who pretends to be my friend, I ought to be upon my guard.”

The Buonarroti family, though well affected toward Savonarola, were connected by many ties of interest and old association with the Medici, and were not powerful enough to be the mark of violent political persecution.  Nevertheless, a fine was laid upon them by the newly restored Government.  This drew forth the following epistle from Michelangelo:—­

“Dearest Father,—­Your last informs me how things are going on at Florence, though I already knew something.  We must have patience, commit ourselves to God, and repent of our sins; for these trials are solely due to them, and more particularly to pride and ingratitude.  I never conversed with a people more ungrateful and puffed up than the Florentines.  Therefore, if judgment comes, it is but right and reasonable.  As for the sixty ducats you tell me you are fined, I think this a scurvy trick, and am exceedingly annoyed.  However, we must have patience as long as it pleases God.  I will write and enclose two lines to Giuliano de’ Medici.  Read them, and if you like to present them to him, do so; you will see whether they are likely to be of any use.  If not, consider whether we can sell our property and go to live elsewhere....  Look to your life and health; and if you cannot share the honours of the land like other burghers, be contented that bread