had now caused all the marbles to he excavated at Carrara, whereupon they were sent to Rome, and Ammannato with them, Vasari writing by him to Buonarroto, desiring the latter to get an order from the Pope as to where the work was to be executed, and having received it, to let the foundations be laid. As soon as Miehelagnolo had read this letter, he spoke to our Lord the Pope, and wrote to Vasari as follows:—
“My dear Messer Giorgio,—As soon as Bartolommeo had arrived, I went to speak to the Pope, and seeing that he wished the Tombs to be at Montorio, I began to look out for a builder from San Pietro. But when Tantecose[1] heard of it, he desired to choose one after his own mind; whereupon I withdrew, not wishing to struggle with one who commands the winds, and who is so light-minded a man that I think it better not to involve myself in any question with him. At all events, the Church of the Florentines is no longer to be thought of. Return as soon as you can; and, meanwhile, fare you well. Nothing further remains to say, 15th Oct. 1556.”
Miehelagnolo called the Bishop of Forlì[2] Tantecose, because he liked to meddle with every kind of matter; being principal chamberlain to the Pope, he had under his care all the medals, jewels, cameos, small figures in bronze, and other things of similar kind, but he would fain have had everything depend on himself. Miehelagnolo avoided him carefully, finding the Bishop’s meddling always unfriendly to himself, and fearing lest the ambition of the prelate should involve him in some trouble. Be this as it may, the Florentines in Rome lost an excellent occasion for completing their Church. God knows when they may have such another, and the failure gave me indescribable vexation. I would not omit the mention of the matter, desiring to show how constantly Miehelagnolo sought to benefit those of his country as well as to assist his friends and brother artists.
Scarcely had Vasari returned to Rome, and the year 1551 had not well commenced, before the Sangallican faction had formed a plot against Miehelagnolo, making interest to
