The Agony and the Ecstasy Page #2

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The Father, the Son...

and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Return to Rome!

Bramante.

Let's go and see.

Still at work? The Pope has

already entered the city.

- I've got work to do.

- Surely nothing so important...

...as to do your pontiff honor.

- Do him honor?

His Holiness's orders were clear:

all Rome to take a holiday...

and come to St. Peter's to

celebrate his new triumph.

Yes, and what is all Rome doing?

Eating, drinking,

working, making love?

Rome is not interested

in petty conquerors.

Besides, I do his Holiness honor.

This tomb will make

him famous forever.

Then I fear he'll achieve

no fame in this century.

Not at your rate of work.

Do you know a sculptor that can

cut marble faster than I can?

How many sculptures do

you plan for this tomb?

Forty.

You know that.

And it took you how long to

carve the David in Florence?

- Four years.

- Four times forty is...?

I know, Bramante, I know,

a hundred and sixty.

That's why I can't

afford holidays.

Wait now!

Look. Moses.

Moses?

Moses.

Here in the marble.

Moses down from Sinai.

God's anger in his eyes.

- In the mind of Michelangelo.

- No! Here! Alive!

Sleeping inside the stone.

God sets them in there.

The sculptor only cuts them loose.

- Slow down!

- And, uh, the architect?

I like your plan for St. Peter's.

I told you that.

- Thank you.

- Your new cathedral...

will make a fine

setting for the tomb.

Imagine it, Bramante. Right there,

in the center of the nave...

...directly under the dome.

- The first church in Christendom.

The most important building

since the Acropolis.

The true house of God

and center of our faith...

a setting for your

sculpture group?

- I think Michelangelo means that.

- It's quite clear what he means.

You should carve your own

self-portrait, master Buonarroti...

as the spirit of modesty.

Perhaps it sleeps in one

of these marbles.

It's not well to goad, Bramante.

It's well to remember he's not

only the Pope's architect...

but his adviser and confidant

on all the arts.

I don't beg for the Pope's favors.

He needs me as much as I need him.

He gives me work,

I give him monuments.

Both our ambitions are satisfied.

Hold fast!

Where are all the people?

You may tell your master,

the King of France...

that I have looked up the Cardinal

Clermont in Sant'Angelo...

because he is no

better than a spy.

I know where the loyalty

of you French cardinals lie!

You belong with you King,

not with your church.

Don't tempt me to provide

you both with similar lodgings.

My master will be

deeply distressed...

when I report Your Holiness's

words to him.

Remind your master

that I am at war...

and I will remain at war until

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