Neither  the  Princess  nor  the  Conrt  was  anxious  for  a  high  matri-
monial standard.  Eventually,  stung  by  many  a  Court  injustice,
especially  by  the  withholding  of  his  salary  by  the  Queen  Mother
and  her  satellites,  Agrippa,  never  averse  to  engaging  in  disadvan-
tageous coLflicts  and  supporting  a  weak,  if  noble,  cause,  decided  to
have  copies  of  his  book  sent  to  the  Queen  and  Princess.  He  wrote
to  Ghape^aio,  his  tried  friend,  but  whose  prudent  advice  he  was
nevertheless  throwing  to  the  winds :

*^  Hear  now,  therefore,  my  opinion.  Among  the  masters  at  Court  are
some  who  write  filthy  and  dirty  jests,  lewd  comedies,  songs  steeped  in  filthy
lust,  and  pestilent  books  that  dishonour  the  name  of  Love.  Nevertheless
boldly  offer  these  little  books,  nor  tliink  that  your  Agrippa,  whose  name
some  read  Aegris  Pedibus  (lame  footed),  is  so  gouty  that  he  cannot  foot  it  in
combat  w4th  these  wise  Court  censors.  I  am  not  so  destitute  of  the  arms
of  honest  study  that  I  cannot  both  defend  this  writing  and  confound  its
adversaries."

As  would  be  expected.  On  the  Sacrament  of  Marriage  is  permeated  by
profound  respect  for  women  and  the  marrisge  bond.
"  No  tie  so  clofee,  so  sacred,  with  self-communing,  with  free  consent,  with
fervid,  yet  clmste  and  reasonable  love,  accept  the  wife  given  to  you  as  a
perpetual  companion,  not  for  a  slave.  By  hand  of  God  let  your  wisdom
guide  her  with  all  gentleness  and  reverence.  Do  not  submit  her,  hxxt  admit
her  to  your  counsels.  Let  her  be  in  your  house  the  mistress,  in  your
family  the  mother."

It  being  then  an  accepted  opinion  that  second  marriages,  unless
arranged  by  the  Church,  were  wrong,  Cornelius  praises  Francis  I.
for  having  set  aside  the  power  of  the  Church  in  that  particular.
