by the
means of courtiers to be safe. But by whose accusations did I receive
this blow? By theirs who, long since having put Basil out of the King's
service, compelled him now to accuse me, by the necessity which he was
driven to by debt. Opilio likewise and Gaudentius being banished by the
King's decree, for the injuries and manifold deceits which they had
committed, because they would not obey, defended themselves by taking
sanctuary, of which the King hearing, gave sentence, that unless they
departed out of the city of Ravenna within certain days, they should be
branded in the foreheads, and put out by force. What could be added to
this severity? And yet that very day their accusations against me went
for current. What might be the reason of this? Did my dealing deserve
it? Or did the condemnation, which went before, make them just accusers?
Was not fortune ashamed, if not that innocency was accused, yet at least
that it had so vile and base accusers? But what crime was laid to my
charge? Wilt thou have it in one word? I am said to have desired the
Senate's safety. Wilt thou know the manner how? I am blamed for having
hindered their accuser to bring forth evidence by which he should prove
the Senate guilty of treason.

What thinkest thou, O Mistress? Shall I deny this charge, that I may not
shame thee? But it is true, I desired it, neither will I ever cease from
having that desire. Shall I confess it? But I have already left
hindering their accuser. Shall I call it an offence to have wished the
safety of that order? Indeed the Senate with their decrees concerning me
had made it an offence. But folly, always deceiving herself, cannot
change the deserts of things, nor, according to the decree of
Socrates,[93] do I think it is lawful either to conceal the truth or
grant a lie. But how this may be, I leave to thine and Wisdom's censure.
And that posterity may not be ignorant of the course and truth of the
matter, I have put it down in writing.

For why should I speak of those feigned letters, in which I am charged
to have hoped for Roman liberty? The deceit of which would manifestly
have appeared, if it might have been lawful for me to have used the
confession of my very accusers, which in all business is of greatest
force. For what liberty remaineth there to be hoped for? I would to God
there were any! I would have answered as Canius did, who being ch