Now began what Condivi called "The Tragedy of the Tomb"; the phrase is so apt that we imagine he must have got it from Michael Angelo himself.

Julius appears to have appreciated his artist from the first; both were what the Italians call _uomini terribili_, men whose brains worked with furious energy, grand and formidable in their imaginations.

Michael Angelo was packed off to Carrara for marble as soon as his design was approved.

There is a contract signed by him and two shipowners of Lavagna, dated November 18, 1505.

Thirty-four cartloads of marble were then ready for shipment, together with two blocked-out figures.