Good Francesco,
I would plead that you respect our past friendship enough to deal with me honestly. For you are well aware that I care little for the woman I obtained from Amano de Verona. Nay, you know well that she is a blight on my very soul, and that in treating of her so fairly, you attempt to "heap burning coals upon my head", like the whingeing clerics she was so fond of when she attended the Cathedral. I tell you now, Francesco, that I am of such a mettle that your "burning coals" can do nothing but temper me to greater hardness against the woman.
For my part, I would that God would take her sooner, that I may get me a more pleasant bride who might bear me a son who is a worthy heir to me. I only wish that my wife's virtue could be questioned, for it pains me greatly to know that I have begat such an imbecile. I would sooner believe that I had been cuckolded by one of those idiot friars, than that some trace of my lineage should be found in young Cristo. May the Devil take him!
I have become aware of a damsel who frequents your court, who may be worthy of my house. Once this whole sordid business is complete, you may certainly expect to have me as your guest, that we may make arrangements in that direction. For the Devil's sake, do not come here, and spare me from your lovely wife; Helena hears nothing, and I would not have my guests squander words on her.
Hortenzio di Castiglione