Letters of Maria Celeste:

3 December 1633

Most Beloved Lord Father

I have long known the ineptitude of my ambassador Giovanni; but the desire I had to send for a sight of you, Sire, was the reason I paid no heed to any impediment; all the more so since the Squarcialupi widows granted me the favor of being allowed to employ him for these services; and that is enough said. Tordo sent yesterday for the 4 scudi and had them right away. Mother Achillea herewith returns the motet. What she would really like in exchange are a few symphonies or ricercar compositions for the organ; you may remember that ours does not function in the high registers, because one or another stop is missing, so that any sonatas to be played upon it would have to be willing to descend very quickly into the low notes.

It does me good to hope, and also to believe firmly, that his Lordship the Ambassador, when he departs from Rome, will be bringing you the news of your dispatch, and also word that he personally will conduct you here in his company. I do not believe that I will live to see that day. May it please the Lord to grant me this grace, if it be for the best; with that thought I greet you with all my love, Sire, and the regards of our usual friends.

From San Matteo in Arcetri, the 3rd day of December 1633.

Your most affectionate daughter,
S. M. Celeste