The Emperor, it is true, plainly told him that he had no thoughts of invading Italy in person.

And this was true; but there is no doubt that he abetted and secretly supported the enemies of the Milan chiefs.
Powerful as the Visconti were, their numerous enemies pressed them hard; and, with war on all sides, Milan was in a critical situation.

But Petrarch, whilst war was at the very gates, continued retouching his Italian poetry.
At the commencement of this year, 1356, he received a letter from Avignon, which Socrates, Laelius, and Guido Settimo had jointly written to him.

They dwelt all three in the same house, and lived in the most social union.

Petrarch made them a short reply, in which he said, "Little did I think that I should ever envy those who inhabit Babylon.
Nevertheless, I wish that I were with you in that house of yours, inaccessible to the pestilent air of the infamous city.