Professor Milanesi, however, has pointed out that when the sculptor was thinking of leaving Rome in 1497 he wrote to his father on the 1st of July as follows: "Most revered and beloved father, do not be surprised that I am unable to return, for I have not yet settled my affairs with the Cardinal, and I do not wish to leave until I am properly paid for my labour; and with these great patrons one must go about quietly, since they cannot be compelled.

I hope, however, at any rate during the course of next week, to have completed the transaction." Michelangelo remained at Rome for more than two years after the date of the letter just quoted.

We may conjecture, then, that he settled his accounts with the Cardinal, whatever these were, and we know that he obtained other orders.

In a second letter to his father, August 19, 1497, he writes thus: "Piero de' Medici gave me a commission for a statue, and I bought the marble.

But I did not begin to work upon it, because he failed to perform what he promised.