Unless I am much deceived, I think I can assure you that it could not possibly go on better than it now is doing.

It may, however, happen that my own interests and old age expose me to self-deception, and consequently expose the fabric of S.Peter's to harm or injury against my will.

I therefore intend to ask permission on the first occasion from his Holiness to resign my office.

Or rather, to save time, I wish to request your most illustrious and reverend lordship by these present to relieve me of the annoyance to which I have been subject seventeen years, at the orders of the Popes, working without remuneration.

It is easy enough to see what has been accomplished by my industry during this period.