of England, informing the King that "by the guidance of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ he had undertaken to restore the old basilica which was perishing through age." V The terms of cordial intimacy which subsisted between Julius and Michelangelo at the close of 1505 were destined to be disturbed.

The Pope intermitted his visits to the sculptor's workshop, and began to take but little interest in the monument.

Condivi directly ascribes this coldness to the intrigues of Bramante, who whispered into the Pontiff's ear that it was ill-omened for a man to construct his own tomb in his lifetime.

It is not at all improbable that he said something of the sort, and Bramante was certainly no good friend to Michelangelo.

A manoeuvring and managing individual, entirely unscrupulous in his choice of means, condescending to flattery and lies, he strove to stand as patron between the Pope and subordinate craftsmen.