254 ANDREW JACKSON HOWE. 



in those who were dependents on the court ; and as 

 jealousy seeks not to partake, hut to monopolize fa- 

 vors, he that has distinguished friends can seldom be 

 without secret enemies." Not long after this intimacy, 

 Julius II. began to spend time among other artists 

 whose merits he had appreciated and thought de- 

 serving of attention. Michael Angelo being apprised 

 of what he considered a growing neglect, seized an 

 opportunity to abandon the Pope's enterprise and to 

 return to his beloved Florence, leaving word on his 

 departure which is reported as follows : " From this 

 time forward, if his holiness wants me, he shall have 

 to seek me in another place." 



The Pope was no sooner informed of this hasty 

 measure than he dispatched five couriers to arrest the 

 fugitive and reconduct him to Rome; but they did 

 not overtake him till he had reached a village of Tus- 

 cany, which was beyond the jurisdiction of the Pontiff. 

 Although the Pope commanded Michael Angelo to 

 " immediately return to Rome on peril of disgrace," 

 the stubborn Florentine refused to go, and his obsti- 

 nacy led to diplomacy. The Pope addressed the fol- 

 lowing letter to the government of Florence: "Health 

 and Apostolic benediction to our dearly beloved. Mi- 

 chael Angelo, who has left us capriciously, and with- 

 out any reason we have been able to learn, is now in 

 Florence, and remains there in fear of our displeasure, 

 but against whom we have nothing to allege, as we 

 know the humor of men of his stamp. However, 

 that we may lay aside all suspicion, we invite him 

 with the same affection that you bear toward us ; and, 

 if he will return, promise on our part he shall be 

 neither touched nor offended, and be reinstated in the 

 same apostolic grace he enjoyed before he left us. 



