A True Recipe

from saying that they knew or were undertaking anything against me, or against my house, knowing well that no man could complete your work but me. Also, being a prisoner in their hands, the Lord of Burie, the Lord of Jarnac, and the Lord of Ponts took great pains to have me delivered, tending toward the goal that your work should be finished. Seeing this, my haters sent me by night to Bordeaux, by oblique paths, without having regard either to your greatness or to your work. This I found very strange, seeing that the Count of La Roche Foucault, although at that time he held the party of your adversaries, nevertheless carried such honor for your greatness that he never wanted any opening to be made in my workshop, because of your work. But the aforementioned of this city did not do so; rather, on the contrary, as soon as I was a prisoner, they made an opening and a public space of part of my workshop, and had concluded in their City Hall to tear down my workshop, which has been partly built at your expense. Such a deliberation would have been executed had it not been for the Lord and Lady of Ponts, who begged the aforementioned not to execute their intention. I have written all these things to you so that you would not have the opinion that I had been a prisoner like a thief or a murderer. I know how well you will be able to remember these things in time and place, and although your work will cost you much more because of the wrong they have done you in my person, nevertheless, I hope that, following the counsel of God, you will render them good for evil, which I desire. And for my part, according to my power, I will strive to acknowledge the kindness that it has pleased you to do for me. This is the place where I will pray to the Lord God, My Lord, to grant you a long and happy life in perfect health.