He first proposed that Buonarroti should promise not to marry, and should enter into minor orders.

This would have enabled him to enjoy some ecclesiastical benefice, but it would also have handed him over firmly bound to the service of the Pope.

Circumstances already hampered him enough, and Michelangelo, who chose to remain his own master, refused.

As Berni wrote: "Voleva far da se, non comandato." As an alternative, a pension was suggested.

It appears that he only asked for fifteen ducats a month, and that his friend Pietro Gondi had proposed twenty-five ducats.