Then he asked me whether I had the courage to make some beautiful work of art.

I answered that I should not be able to achieve anything so great, but that he should see what I could do.

We have bought a piece of marble for a life-size statue, and on Monday I shall begin to work." After describing his reception, Michelangelo proceeds to relate the efforts he was making to regain his Sleeping Cupid from Messer Baldassare: "Afterwards, I gave your letter to Baldassare, and asked him for the child, 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 writings 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.