That which is too free in the work is sufficiently excusable for the age at which you wrote it, for its elegant language, for the levity of the subject, for the class of readers to whom it is suited.

Besides, in the midst of much gay and playful matter, several grave and pious thoughts are to be found.

Like the rest of the world, I have been particularly struck by the beginning and the end.

The description which you give of the state of our country during the plague, appeared to me most true and most pathetic.

The story which forms the conclusion made so vivid an impression on me, that I wished to get it by heart, in order to repeat it to some of my friends." Petrarch, perceiving that this touching story of Griseldis made an impression on all the world, had an idea of translating it into Latin, for those who knew not the vulgar tongue.