In his absence it was duly signed and witnessed before Clement; the Cardinals Gonzaga and da Monte and the Lady Felice della Rovere attesting, while Giovan Maria della Porta and Girolamo Staccoli acted for the Duke of Urbino.

When Michelangelo returned and saw the instrument, he found that several clauses prejudicial to his interests had been inserted by the notary.

"I discovered more than 1000 ducats charged unjustly to my debit, also the house in which I live, and certain other hooks and crooks to ruin me.

The Pope would certainly not have tolerated this knavery, as Fra Sebastiano can bear witness, since he wished me to complain to Clement and have the notary hanged.

I swear I never received the moneys which Giovan Maria della Porta wrote against me, and caused to be engrossed upon the contract." It is difficult to understand why Michelangelo should not have immediately taken measures to rectify these errors.