Accordingly he began to throw up bastions with fascines of tow; but the result was far from perfect, as he himself confessed.

Upon this, the Ten resolved to send him to Ferrara to inspect that renowned work of defence.

Thither accordingly he went; nevertheless, he believes that Niccolo did this in order to get him out of the way, and to prevent the construction of the bastion.

In proof thereof he adduces the fact that, upon his return, he found the whole work interrupted." Furnished with letters to the Duke, and with special missives from the Signory and the Ten to their envoy, Galeotto Giugni, Michelangelo left Florence for Ferrara after the 28th of July, and reached it on the and of August.

He refused, as Giugni writes with some regret, to abandon his inn, but was personally conducted with great honour by the Duke all round the walls and fortresses of Ferrara.