and certainly your Grace will be surprised. I say this to you, most honoured sir, in case any false accusations of the kind should reach your ears from any quarter and I hope that credit will be given to a party not adverse to me, so that a more just understanding may be arrived at."
Meanwhile Galileo's position became more favourable, because the Pope received the submissive philosopher very graciously on 11th March, and gave him an audience which lasted three-quarters of an hour. He seized the opportunity of speaking to Paul V. of the intrigues of his enemies, and of some of the false accusations against him; to which the Pope replied that he was well aware of the rectitude and sincerity of his sentiments. And when Galileo, in conclusion, expressed his fears of the perpetual persecutions of relentless malice, the Pope consoled him by saying that he need not fear, for he was held in so much esteem by himself and the whole Congregation, that they would not listen to these calumnies, and as long as he occupied the chair of St. Peter, Galileo might feel himself safe from all danger. Paul V. also repeatedly expressed his readiness to show his favour by his actions.
Galileo hastened on the very next day to make known the favourable result of his audience to Picchena, the Secretary of State, in a long letter.[1] The effect of it, however, was quite different from what he probably expected. The Court of Tuscany, which had been not a little disquieted by Guiccardini's alarming despatch, thought it a good opportunity to press upon Galileo, now that his fame was so brilliantly re-established, to leave Rome and return to Florence. This was the tenor of Picchena's reply of 20th March.[2] Their highnesses, evidently still under the impression of Guiccardini's letter, implored Galileo to be quiet, and no longer discuss this dangerous subject, but to return.
Encouraged by the Pope's friendly words, however, Galileo
