of Angelus Politianus; a Hercules for the King of France: for a Roman Gentleman called Jacopo Gallo, a Cupid of Marble, with the figure of Bacchus, holding a Cup in his right hand, and in his left a Tygers skin, and a bunch of grapes, which a Sa••yr endeavours to eat of; in which figures are a mixture as it were of both sexes, they having the strength of the men and the toundness and ••leshiness of the women: A Cupid 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for a Gentleman of Milan, who sold it for 200 Ducats to the Cardinal St. George: These curious Works making him become famous, he was sent for to Rome, by Pope Julius the second to build a sumptuous Tomb, which the said Popede∣signed for himself; but Julius dying before it was perfected, the design was obstructed, and the figures which Michael An∣gelo had carved for this Monument were sent to the French King by whom they were charily preserved and put into the Castle of Equan, whence they were afterwards transp••rted to Richlieu Clement the seventh coming afterwards to be Pope, and designing likewise a Tomb for himself, Michael Angelo carved him five figures: The first was the Virgin holding the Child Jesus in her Armes, who turns himself very prettily towards his mothers bosome; and four others, representing Day and Night; Aurora and Crepusculum, whereof Aurora is said to be the softest thing in the world. Paul the Third being promoted to the Pontifical Chair, set him to draw that admirable piece of the last Judgment in Sixtus's Chappel in the Vatican, where the greatness of its design is so lofty, and Majestick, and the actions are so Natural, and agreable to the subject, that it is impossible to express its perfections, or give it its due charact∣er; on one side is the lively picture of terror and amaze∣ment, on the other side, of joy mixt with grief, fear with hope; whatsoever the Poets have seigned of the pleasures of the Elysian fields, or of the Torments of Hell, is there expressed by the bold strokes of his pencil; ••o that nothing can look more delightful and more terrible both together: Tis report∣ed, that the Pope coming one day to see it when it was nigh finished, attended by M••sser Biagis, his Master of the Ceremo∣nies, whose opinion of it being asked by the Pope, Biagio an∣swered, that in his Judgment, it was a very undecent thing to expose such a number of naked figures in so sacred a place as a Chappel, and that it was fitter to be placed in a Bawdy house then in the Popes Chappel. This displeased Michael Angelo so much that as soon as he was gone, he drew this Biagio to the life by the help of his memory, placing him naked in Hell with a great Serpent fastned to his middle, and environed with a Legion of Devills. And all that Biagio could do, could never get it out, but it remains there, as they say, to this day. This Work was eight years a finishing, at the end whereof the people thronged in C••ouds to see it on Christmas day 1541, and showed their admiration of the Artist, by repeated accla∣mations, making the Aire eccho to the name of Michael Ange∣lo. For the D••ke of Florence's Palace he made that curious History of the Battle near Pavia in a Cartoon: In the piece is a World of naked figures drawn as swimming in the river Arno to refresh themselves in a time of great hear, while they are thus doing an Alarme is supposed to be given by the sound of the Trumpe••s and Drums. Tis most pleasant to see with what hast the soldiers get out of the Water to dress them∣selves in order to engage the Enemy and assist their Com∣rades, who appear a far of attacqued by some of the Enemies Horse, amongst the rest is an old fellow with a Garland of Ivy about his head, trying to put on his stockings which he finds great difficulty to do by reason of the wetness of his feet, who seems to be so earnest and violent that his mouth looks distorted, and all the Nerves and museles of his body to be strained to get them on. This piece was most admirably de∣signed, full of curious and strong shortnings and was the study of all the Painters of that age.
He was a person very studious, and well vers'd in the Holy Scriptures, and Historians both Sacred and Prophane; well skill'd in Philosophy and Poetry, as appears by some Commenta∣ries he made upon Dantes and Petrarch, and some Italian Verses very elegantly writ by him to the Lady Marchionesse of Pesquara: As he attained to vast Wealth by his Industry, so he was very liberal and charitable towards the Poor, often giving large Sums for the marrying of Virgins that were poor: to one of his Nephews he gave four thousand Ducats at one time, and another time he bestowed on him ten thou∣sand Ducats. Asking one day one of his Servants called Ʋrbino, What he would do after his death? was answered by him, That he must then endeavour to get another Master: Alas! poor man (says Mièhael Angelo) that shall not be if I can help it, and gave him 2000 Ducats to live upon. These and such like Noble Qualifications, with which he was endued, together with his Excellent Parts, made him the Darling of the Age, belov'd and honour'd by the most considerable Princes of the World; as the Emperor Charles V. Francis the I. King of France, the Duke of Tuscany, and the Republick of Venice: Solyman the Magnificent, Emperor of the Turks, endeavour'd by extraordinary offers to get him into Turky, to assist him in some Designs he had on foot: Cardinal Hippolyto de Medicis seeing him one day taken with the beauty of a Horse which was in his Stable, sent him the Horse, with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mules laden with Provender, and a Groom to look after them. Thus ha∣ving gained a never dying Fame, and spent a long Life in great content and satisfaction, he vielded up to Nature the Tribute which was due to her, Feb. 1••th. 1564. aged 90 years, and was buried in the Church of St. Peter Major, being attend to his Grave by all the Artists of the City.