During that time an office in the customs fell vacant which could only be held by a Florentine citizen; so Lodovico, the father of Michael Angelo, came to the Magnificent and spoke for it: "_Lorenzo, I can do nothing but read and write; the comrade of Marco Pucci in the Dogana is dead.

I should like to have his place.

I believe I shall be able to carry out the duties properly._" The Magnificent put his hand upon his shoulder and, smiling, said: "_You will always be poor_," for he expected that he would ask for some great thing.

However, he continued, "_If you will be the comrade of Marco, be it so, till something better turns up_." This place brought him eight scudi( 15) the month, a little more or a little less.
X.In the meantime Michael Angelo prosecuted his studies, showing the result of his labours to the Magnificent each day.

In the same house lived Poliziano, a man, as every one knows, and as is testified by his works, most learned and witty.