“7. That he had represented it to be an argument for the truth that Ptolemaics go over to the Copernicans, but not _vice versa_. “8. That he had erroneously ascribed the tides in the ocean to the stability of the sun and the motion of the earth, which do not exist.” The special commission, however, by no means draws the conclusion from all these errors and failings, that the “Dialogues” should be prohibited, but says: “All these things could be corrected, if it was thought that the book to which such favour should be shown were of any value.” Immediately after this follows the seventh point, saying that “the author had transgressed the mandate of the Holy Office of 1616, ‘that he should relinquish the said opinion,’ etc.—down to, ‘and promised to obey.’”[292] Herewith the memorial of the preliminary commission concludes. It draws no conclusions from the facts adduced, but leaves that to his Holiness the Pope. The last count confirms Galileo’s chief offence: he is guilty of having disobeyed a special mandate of the ecclesiastical authorities, has broken a solemn promise made before a notary and witnesses. Such a crime, according to inquisitorial usage, demanded severe punishment. The perfidy of 1616 had signally triumphed. CHAPTER V. _THE SUMMONS TO ROME._ Niccolini’s Attempt to avert the Trial.—The Pope’s Parable.—The Mandate summoning Galileo to Rome.—His Grief and Consternation.—His Letter to Cardinal Barberini.—Renewed Order to come to Rome.—Niccolini’s fruitless Efforts to save him.—Medical Certificate that he was unfit to Travel.—Castelli’s hopeful View of the Case.—Threat to bring him to Rome as a Prisoner.—The Grand Duke advises him to go.—His Powerlessness to protect his Servant.—Galileo’s Mistake in leaving Venice.—Letter to Elia Diodati. Only a few days later, on 15th September, the Pope informed the Tuscan ambassador through one of his secretaries, Pietro Benessi, that he (Urban) hereby notified to him, out of esteem for his Highness the Grand Duke, that he could do no less than hand Galileo’s affairs over to the Inquisition. At the same time the strictest secrecy as to this information was enjoined both on the Grand Duke and Niccolini, with a threat that otherwise they would be proceeded against according to the statutes of the Holy Office.[293]