Their commissary at Pisa wrote urging the necessity of Buonarroti's presence on the spot.

In addition to other pressing needs, the Arno, when in flood, threatened the ancient fortress of the city.

Accordingly we find that Michelangelo went to Pisa on the 5th of June, and that he stayed there over the 13th, returning to Florence perhaps upon the 17th of the month.

The commissary, who spent several days in conferring with him and in visiting the banks of the Arno, was perturbed in mind because Michelangelo refused to exchange the inn where he alighted for an apartment in the official residence.

This is very characteristic of the artist.