discovered them, first moulded his mind to those lofty thoughts which
it became the task of his life to express in form. At the same time he
heard the preaching of Savonarola. In the Duomo and the cloister of S.
Marco another portion of his soul was touched, and he acquired that
deep religious tone which gives its majesty and terror to the
Sistine."[37] In the gardens of S. Marco he had Lorenzo's fine
collection of antiquities to study, and learned from them the secrets
of Greek sculpture.

[Footnote 37: Symonds, in _Renaissance in Italy: The Fine Arts_.]

In all these opportunities it would seem that Michelangelo was a most
fortunate person. Nor did he lack proper appreciation; the PietÃ
placed him at once on a pinnacle of fame, and the David was heartily
admired.

It was when he entered the service of the Pope that his troubles
began. He was never thereafter a free man. His genius was at the
disposition of a series of men, each ambitious for his own fame, and
caring little for the artist's personal aspirations. His proud nature
was bitterly humiliated by this sacrifice of his independence.
Sometimes he openly rebelled, but in the end was always obliged to
yield to papal authority.

Michelangelo's sternly upright spirit found also much to sadden him in
the corruption of the times. He was a lover of righteousness as well
as a lover of liberty, and he greatly mourned the evils which
surrounded him.

One of the pleasantest traits in his character was his warm affection