Next year, the arch-seneschal received an invitation from Philip of Valois to join him with his troops at Amiens as vassal of France.

The Dauphin tried to back out of the dilemma between his two suitors by frivolous excuses to both, all the time determining to assist neither.

In 1338 he came to Avignon, and the Pope gave him his palace at the bridge of the Sorgue for his habitation.
Here the poor craven, beset on one side by threatening letters from Philip of Valois, and on the other by importunities from the French party at the papal court, remained in Avignon till July, 1339, after Petrarch had let loose upon him his epistolary eloquence.
This letter, dated April, 1339, is, according to De Sade's opinion, full of powerful persuasion.

I cannot say that it strikes me as such.

After calling Christ to witness that he writes to the Dauphin in the spirit of friendship, he reminds him that Europe had never exhibited so mighty and interesting a war as that which had now sprung up between the kings of France and England, nor one that opened so vast a field of glory for the brave.