Clement, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to the much beloved and Christian son Don Juan, King of Castile and León; health and the spirit of strength be unto you in your adversity. I have received news which has disturbed my heart and caused my lips to tremble. For that was a day of mighty wrath and dread rage against Your Royal Majesty, when your resplendent highness, feared by everyone from the rising to the setting of the sun, was brought down so swiftly by a slight event, scarcely begun, that the news is terrible to hear. Nevertheless, most high prince, do not be so fearful or downcast, for often we read that the victor can be vanquished by one lower than himself. We read that the Ark of the Covenant was stolen by those who did not believe in God and held in their power; and that Saul and Jonathan, his son, were both vanquished and slain by the Philistines. It is written that the great city of Rome, mistress of the whole world, was at times conquered by her enemies and adversaries. Nor do we doubt, indeed we know for certain, that King Rodrigo of Spain was defeated and persecuted by the Arabs. We know that it was not long ago that the Englishmen's noble Fleur de Lys was brought down. You are well aware that the outstanding prince among this world's noble knights, your father King Enrique, who gave evidence of his immense courage amid the greatest perils and defeats, though formerly routed, went on to victory. Thus, the one whom God loves is also punished and corrected by Him.