Letter VIII. To Donna Felice Orsina Colonna, Vice-Queen of Sicily, Naples

He excuses himself for being unable to grant a demand of hers.

Most illustrious and excellent Ladt, m7 most HONOURED Mistress, — How anxious I am to please your ladyship in all you condescend to ask me is, I am sure, well known to you, and I think it hardly necessary to try and persuade you of my willingness. I therefore imagine that you will also easily realise how sorry I am to be unable to serve you, by sending you Messer. Giovan Francesco, as you so pressingly ask me in your letter. I would have been but too glad to send him to you, if he were in a state to undertake so long a journey, and be able after his arrival to serve you as you desire. I regret very much that the state of his health prevents his leaving Rome at present, having just begun a long cure, and knowing that he would give you more worry and anxiety than consolation. I feel convinced that your ladyship will take it all in good part ; and if in this case we cannot make any return for our obligations to you, pray attribute it to inability, being always eager to serve in all it may please you to command. And praying God to give all happiness to you and all those of your household, I kiss your hands — Of your ladyship the servant in Christ, Philip Neri

Rome, May 8, 1579.

Bordini, see Vol. I., 87, n.