For all these reasons, I most earnestly entreat you, from the depth of my heart, to come at once and travel through Lucca, where I will meet you, and attend you with due form and ceremony until here: such is my intense desire that our country should not lose you, nor you her.

If, after your arrival at Lucca, you should by some accident fail to find me, and you should not care to come to Florence without my company, write a word, I beg.

I will set out at once, for I feel sure that I shall get permission....

God, by His goodness, keep you in good health, and bring you back to us safe and happy." Michelangelo set forth upon his journey soon after the receipt of this letter.

He was in Ferrara on the 9th of November, as appears from a despatch written by Galeotto Giugni, recommending him to the Government of Florence.