“Very magnificent, my Lord,—­I have noticed during several days past that you have some grievance—­what, I do not know—­against me.  Yesterday I became certain of it when I went to your house.  As I cannot imagine the cause, I have thought it best to write this, in order that, if you like, you may inform me.  I am more than positive that I never offended you.  But you lend easy credence to those whom perhaps you ought least to trust; and some one has possibly told you some lie, for fear I should one day reveal the many knaveries done under your name, the which do you little honour; and if you desire to know about them, you shall.  Only I cannot, nor, if I could, should I wish to force myself—­but I tell you frankly that if you do not want me for a friend, you can do as you like, but you cannot compel me not to be a friend to you.  I shall always try to do you service; and only yesterday I came to show you a letter written by the Duke of Florence, and to lighten your burdens, as I have ever done until now.  Be sure you have no better friend than me; but on this I will not dwell.  Still, if you think otherwise, I hope that in a short time you will explain matters; and I know that you know I have always been your friend without the least interest of my own.  Now I will say no more, lest I should seem to be excusing myself for something which does not exist, and which I am utterly unable to imagine.  I pray and conjure you, by the love you bear to God, that you tell me what you have against me, in order that I may disabuse you.  Not having more to write, I remain your servant,

“Thomao De’ Cavalieri. 
“From my house, November 15, 1561.”

It is clear from this letter, and from the relations which subsisted between Michelangelo and Cavalieri up to the day of his death, that the latter was a gentleman of good repute and honour, whose affection did credit to his friend.  I am unable to see that anything but an injury to both is done by explaining away the obvious meaning of the letters and the sonnets I have quoted.  The supposition that Michelangelo intended the Cavalieri letters to reach Vittoria Colonna through that friend’s hands does not, indeed, deserve the complete refutation which I have given it.  I am glad, however, to be able to adduce the opinion of a caustic Florentine scholar upon this topic, which agrees with my own, and which was formed without access to the original documents which I have been enabled to make use of.  Fanfani says:  “I have searched, but in vain, for documentary proofs of the passion which Michelangelo is supposed to have felt for Vittoria Colonna, and which she returned with ardour according to the assertion of some critics.  My own belief, concurring with that of better judges than myself, is that we have here to deal with one of the many baseless stories told about him.  Omitting the difficulties presented by his advanced age, it is wholly contrary to all we know about the Marchioness, and not a little damaging to her reputation