Montesquieu

“ Under the pretext of some sarcasms which he pretends I aimed at his unfortunate lot, he makes me the victim of an insatiable vengeance.He has stirred up against me the cruel superintendent of your gardens, who, ever since you left, has laid upon me impossible tasks, in attempting which I have a thousand times taken leave of life, although I never for an instant lost my ardour in your service.Many a time have I said to myself, “I who have the gentlest of masters, am yet the most miserable slave on the face of the earth!” ”

“ I kiss your feet, sublime lord, in the deepest humility.Grant that I may feel the effects of your revered virtue.Let it not be said that, at your command, there is upon the earth one more unhappy being. ”