Michelangelo replied as follows: "I gather from your last that his Holiness our Lord wishes that I should furnish the design for the library.

I have received no information, and do not know where it is to be erected.

It is true that Stefano talked to me about the scheme, but I paid no heed.

When he returns from Carrara I will inquire, and will do all that is in my power, _albeit architecture is not my profession_." There is something pathetic in this reiterated assertion that his real art was sculpture.

At the same time Clement wished to provide for him for life.