Alexander attempted a reply in French, which was very imperfect, and, apologizing, exchanged that tongue for Italian.
He alluded with great fervour to the "honourable opinion concerning his sincerity and word," expressed to him by her Majesty, through the mouth of her envoy.

"And indeed," said he, "I have always had especial care of keeping my word.

My body and service are at the commandment of the King, my lord and master, but my honour is my own, and her Majesty may be assured that I shall always have especial regard of my word to so great and famous a Queen as her Majesty." The visit was one of preliminaries and of ceremony.

Nevertheless Farnese found opportunity to impress the envoy and his companions with his sincerity of heart.

He conversed much with Cecil, making particular and personal inquiries, and with appearance of deep interest, in regard to Queen Elizabeth.
"There is not a prince in the world--" he said, "reserving all question between her Majesty and my royal master--to whom I desire more to do service.