“This morning I also conversed with his Holiness on the subject, after having expressed my thanks for the communication made to me; the Pope again gave vent to his displeasure that Galileo should have discussed this subject, which appears to him to be very serious, and of great moment to religion. Signor Galileo thinks, nevertheless, that he can defend his statements on good grounds; but I have warned him to refrain from doing so, in order not to prolong the proceedings, and to submit to what shall be prescribed to him to believe respecting the motion of the earth. He has fallen into the deepest dejection, and since yesterday has sunk so low that I am in great concern for his life.” From this, then, we learn that up to 8th April Galileo was still intending to defend his opinions before the Holy Tribunal; and that it was only on the urgent expostulation of the ambassador, whom he knew to be his sincere friend, that he gave up all idea of opposition, and resolved upon entire and passive submission. How hard it was for him to yield is evident from the concluding sentence of Niccolini’s despatch. CHAPTER VII. _THE TRIAL BEFORE THE INQUISITION._ The First Hearing.—Galileo’s submissive Attitude.—The Events of February, 1616.—Galileo denies Knowledge of a Special Prohibition.—Produces Bellarmine’s Certificate.—Either the Prohibition was not issued, or Galileo’s Ignorance was feigned.—His Conduct since 1616 agrees with its non-issue.—The Inquisitor assumes that it was issued.—Opinions of Oregius, Inchofer, and Pasqualigus.—Galileo has Apartments in the Palace of the Holy Office assigned to him.—Falls ill.—Letter to Geri Bocchineri.—Change of Tone at second Hearing hitherto an Enigma.—Now explained by Letter from Firenzuola to Cardinal Fr. Barberini.—Galileo’s Confession.—His Weakness and Subserviency. On 12th April Galileo appeared in great distress of mind, for his first hearing in the Palace of the Inquisition, before the Commissary-General of the Holy Office, Father Vincenzo Maccolani da Firenzuola, and the fiscal attorney of the Holy Tribunal, Father Carlo Sincero. In all his answers to the Inquisitor, he is actuated by one idea—that of shortening the proceedings and averting a severe sentence by submissive acquiescence. This resigned attitude must be borne in mind in order to form a correct judgment of his depositions before the dread tribunal.[352]