But a _Ricordo,_ bearing date October 29, 1533, renders it almost certain that he had not then started.

Angelini's letters, which had been so frequent, stop suddenly in that month.

This renders it almost certain that Michelangelo must have soon returned to Rome.

Strangely enough there are no letters or _Ricordi_ in his handwriting which bear the date 1534.

When we come to deal with this year, 1534, we learn from Michelangelo's own statement to Vasari that he was in Florence during the summer, and that he reached Rome two days before the death of Clement VII., _i.e._, upon September 23.
Condivi observes that it was lucky for him that the Pope did not die while he was still at Florence, else he would certainly have been exposed to great peril, and probably been murdered or imprisoned by Duke Alessandro.
Nevertheless, Michelangelo was again in Florence toward the close of 1534.