its completion, and we did not know where to get this money.  He said that the Duke would provide, but his Lordship was afraid of losing both the ducats and the work, and was inclined to be angry.  After a good deal of talking, he asked whether it would not be possible to execute the tomb upon a reduced scale, so as to satisfy both parties.  I answered that you ought to be consulted.”  We have reason to infer from this that the plan which was finally adopted, of making a mural monument with only a few figures from the hand of Michelangelo, had already been suggested.  In his next letter, Sebastiano communicates the fact that he has been appointed to the office of Piombatore; “and if you could see me in my quality of friar, I am sure you would laugh.  I am the finest friar loon in Rome.”  The Duke of Urbino’s agent, Hieronimo Staccoli, now appears for the first time upon the stage.  It was through his negotiations that the former contracts for the tomb of Julius were finally annulled and a new design adopted.  Michelangelo offered, with the view of terminating all disputes, to complete the monument on a reduced scale at his own cost, and furthermore to disburse the sum of 2000 ducats in discharge of any claims the Della Rovere might have against him.  This seemed too liberal, and when Clement was informed of the project, he promised to make better terms.  Indeed, during the course of these negotiations the Pope displayed the greatest interest in Michelangelo’s affairs.  Staccoli, on the Duke’s part, raised objections; and Sebastiano had to remind him that, unless some concessions were made, the scheme of the tomb might fall through:  “for it does not rain Michelangelos, and men could hardly be found to preserve the work, far less to finish it.”  In course of time the Duke’s ambassador at Rome, Giovan Maria della Porta, intervened, and throughout the whole business Clement was consulted upon every detail.

Sebastiano kept up his correspondence through the summer of 1531.  Meanwhile the suspense and anxiety were telling seriously on Michelangelo’s health.  Already in June news must have reached Rome that his health was breaking down; for Clement sent word recommending him to work less, and to relax his spirits by exercise.  Toward the autumn he became alarmingly ill.  We have a letter from Paolo Mini, the uncle of his servant Antonio, written to Baccio Valori on the 29th of September.  After describing the beauty of two statues for the Medicean tombs, Mini says he fears that “Michelangelo will not live long, unless some measures are taken for his benefit.  He works very hard, eats little and poorly, and sleeps less.  In fact, he is afflicted with two kinds of disorder, the one in his head, the other in his heart.  Neither is incurable, since he has a robust constitution; but for the good of his head, he ought to be restrained by our Lord the Pope from working through the winter in the sacristy, the air of which is bad for him; and for his heart,