I have now come to recognise that the grace of God is not to be bought, and that to keep it waiting is a grievous sin.

Therefore I acknowledge my error, and willingly accept your favours.

When I possess them, not indeed because I shall have them in my house, but for that I myself shall dwell in them, the place will seem to encircle me with Paradise.

For which felicity I shall remain ever more obliged to your ladyship than I am already, if that is possible.
"The bearer of this letter will be Urbino, who lives in my service.
Your ladyship may inform him when you would like me to come and see the head you promised to show me." This letter is written under the autograph copy of a sonnet which must have been sent with it, since it expresses the same thought in its opening quatrain.

My translation of the poem runs thus: _Seeking at least to be not all unfit For thy sublime and-boundless courtesy, My lowly thoughts at first were fain to try What they could yield for grace so infinite.
But now I know my unassisted wit Is all too weak to make me soar so high, For pardon, lady, for this fault I cry, And wiser still I grow, remembering it.
Yea, well I see what folly 'twere to think That largess dropped from thee like dews from heaven Could e'er be paid by work so frail as mine! To nothingness my art and talent sink; He fails who from his mortal stores hath given A thousandfold to match one gift divine_.
Michelangelo's next letter refers to the design for the Crucified Christ, described by Condivi.