Letters442 Letter CDXLII. To a certain friend.

Concerning a certain man, whose vicious propensities he describes, and who was endeavouring to make marriages for his children from among the nobility.

I have done what you wished, though it was a matter which did not at all concern me, except that you wished it. For what concern have I with your lands, your lawsuits, your marriages? Then that man, for whom, at your earnest request I was obliged to intercede with the Duchess, I have always known from his youth to be ill disposed and far removed from all good: insomuch that I believe that the matter will turn out badly, not by any greed of the Duchess, but by the just judgment of God. I never see that he makes any pilgrimage to any of the Saints, though he is a sinner: nor hear of his giving alms, though he is rich; nor of his giving protection to the widow or the orphan, though he has been long in high authority. And now, above all, he is constantly seeking to exalt himself beyond his measure. Consider, you who are his friends, that the society of the nobles can hardly come to any advantageous issue for him, since, not regarding his own mediocrity, he is so anxious to unite his sons and daughters to them in marriage. But I hope and strongly wish that as to this matter, which on your account I have goodnaturedly undertaken to ask for him, he will make good use of it.

Letter CDXLIII.