Nine Books on the Dignity and Advancement of Learning

to which I have worked by his
command for two years; and
had it printed to present to him
upon his return from this journey; which would have been entirely
glorious for France, if a death
so prejudicial to the whole State had not
delayed its good success. The honor that I
had of being in his memory during affairs
where I was neither born nor instructed, made
me expect the continuation of the infallible effects
of his benevolence. So much so that
one could say everything of me
(in the terms of the Proverb) if one could
say that I am ungrateful after his death.
Now, to stifle at its birth this Book which
must see the light of day, after he who is
the cause of its life has lost his own,
would be to consign his good deeds to oblivion:
instead of publishing and displaying them.