This he did because he was befriended with the Marchese Alberigo, and lived on a good understanding with him.

The Pope wrote to Michelangelo, ordering him to repair to Pietra Santa, and see whether the information he had received from Florence was correct.

He did so, and ascertained that the marbles were very hard to work, and ill-adapted to their purpose; even had they been of the proper kind, it would be difficult and costly to convey them to the sea.

A road of many miles would have to be made through the mountains with pick and crowbar, and along the plain on piles, since the ground there was marshy.

Michelangelo wrote all this to the Pope, who preferred, however, to believe the persons who had written to him from Florence.