Having received from Herberstein his "[poetic] monument", Dantiscus reciprocates by describing his aversion to life, stemming from the awareness that in such difficult and dangerous times, human reasoning and strength are of no consequence. He has hope in divine mercy. He regrets that because of illness he was unable to attend the feast held by Samuel Maciejowski, the bishop of Płock, where he could have talked freely to Herberstein, and that he also lacks the strength to visit him. He understands that numerous duties prevent Herberstein from visiting him. He wishes Herberstein a safe journey and asks him to remind King Ferdinand I that Dantiscus is a loyal servant.