Niccolini, seeing that his efforts were in vain retired, but only to hasten to Cardinal Antonio Barberini, and to entreat him to take up the cause of this persecuted man. But the cardinal made the pertinent excuse that he could not act against the Pope’s will, but he would procure all possible relaxation of the strict quarantine regulations for Galileo. Niccolini could not even obtain any definite promise of delay; and, much discomfited and with profound sorrow, he communicated the results of his sincere and unwearied endeavours in a letter to Galileo of 13th November, 1632, and a despatch to Cioli of the same date.[310] A few days after the receipt of this bad news, on 19th November, Galileo was summoned before the Inquisitor at Florence for the second time, in accordance with the papal mandate of 11th November. He sent the following report of it on 20th November, to Rome:— “I have again summoned Galileo Galilei, who said that he was perfectly willing to go to Rome, and only hesitated on account of his advanced age, his evident ill health, the circumstance that he was under medical treatment, and many other things. I then charged him to comply with the order to go to Rome, and in presence of a notary and two witnesses gave him a respite of one month. He again appeared quite willing, but I do not know whether he will go. I told him what I had received.”[311] On 9th December the papal orders were issued to the Inquisitor at Florence, as soon as the month had elapsed, to _compel_ Galileo to set out for Rome.[312] Niccolini wrote to Cioli on the 11th[313] and to Galileo on the 12th[314] December, that he had again tried to procure a longer respite, but had found it impossible. He moreover strongly advised Galileo to set out as soon as possible, and stay for at least twenty days’ quarantine somewhere within the territory of Siena, as this prompt obedience would be greatly to his advantage at Rome. But the time appointed had nearly elapsed, and Galileo made no preparations for starting. Shortly before it terminated, in accordance with his instructions, the Inquisitor at Florence sent his vicar to him. On 18th December the Inquisitor sent the following report to Rome:— “My vicar found Galileo Galilei in bed. He told him he was quite willing to come, but in these times he had no heart for it; besides, just now, owing to having been attacked by sudden illness, he was not in a condition to set out. He has sent me the enclosed medical certificate. So that I have not failed to do my duty.”[315] The medical certificate, dated 17th December, gives a clear idea of the physical condition of this much-tried man, and we therefore give it in full. It is signed by the doctors Vettorio de Rossi, Giovanni Ronconi, and Pietro Cervieri, and is as follows:—