CHAPTER IX.
THE LAST ACT OF THE TRAGEDY OF THE TOMB, AND THE DAY OF JUDGMENT L.Meanwhile Pope Clement died and Paul III.

was elected.

He sent for Michael Angelo and requested him to serve him.

Michael Angelo, fearing that he would be hindered in the work of the Tomb, replied that he could not, for he was engaged by contract to the Duke of Urbino until he had finished the work that he had in hand.

The Pope was much annoyed, and said: "_It is some thirty years that I have had this wish, shall I not satisfy it now I am Pope?
Where is the contract that I may tear it up ?_" Michael Angelo, seeing it had come to this, was for leaving Rome and betaking himself to the country about Genoa, to an abbey of the Bishops of Aleria, to a follower of Julius, very much his friend, and there bring his work to an end.