Michael Angelo's humble reply was dated February 8, 1507.( 93) "MOST REVERED FATHER,--I have received a letter from you to-day, from which I learn that you have been talked to by Lapo and Lodovico.

I am glad that you should rebuke me, because I deserve to be rebuked as a miserable sinner, as much as any one, perhaps more.

But you must know that I have not been guilty in this affair for which you blame me now." He goes on to explain his dealings with the rogue Lapo.

There is also trouble about a sword-hilt( 94) Michael Angelo had designed for Pietro Aldobrandini.

However, Aldobrandini objected that the blade was too short.
Michael Angelo affirmed that it was ordered exactly to the measure sent, and bade his brother present it to Filippo Strozzi as a compliment from the Buonarroti family; but the stupid fellow bungled it in some way, for Michael Angelo writes to say that he is sorry "he behaved so scurvily towards Filippo in so trifling an affair." Michael Angelo must have spent his spare time in studying the bas-reliefs by Jacopo della Quercia upon the facade of San Petronio, for he used many of the motives in his next great work, the Sistine vault.