Page:The Life of Michael Angelo.djvu/110

68 complain of me and say that I have driven you away, I am all the more astonished. From the day of my birth until now I am certain of never having had the intention of doing anything, great or small, to displease you. All the difficulties which I have supported I have ever supported through my love for you ... I have ever taken your part. . . But a few days ago I told and promised you that, as long as I lived, I should devote all my strength to you: and I again make that promise. I am astounded that you have so soon forgotten all that. For the past thirty years you and your sons have tested me. You know that I have ever been good to you, as far as I was able, both in thought and in deed. How can you go about repeating everywhere that I have driven you away? Do you not see what a reputation you are giving me ? Nothing more now is wanting to make my troubles complete, and all these troubles I support through my love for you! Well, indeed, do you reward me ! . . . But so let it be. I wish to persuade myself that I have never ceased to cause you shame and do you harm, and I ask your pardon as though I had done so. Pardon me as you would a son who has always lived an evil life and done you all the harm that is possible in this world. Once more I beg you to pardon me, wretch that I am. But do not accuse me of having driven you from home, for my reputation is dearer to me than you are aware. In spite of everything, I am your son."

So much love and humility disarmed the embittered mind of the old man for but a moment. Some time afterwards he accused his son of having robbed him. Michael Angelo, stung to the quick, wrote to him as follows: