MURET, Marc Antoine de (1526-1585), French humanist, one of the most famous orators of his time. He was the teacher of Michel de MONTAIGNE and the poets of the PLÉIADE: Etienne Jodelle, Rémy Belleau, Dorat and Du Bellay. He was also a friend of Ronsard (1525-1585: they were born and died almost at the same time). Condemned in France for sodomy, he taught in Italy under the protection of the Vatican. Entirely autograph letter signed, addressed to "Monsieur D'Abin chevalier de l'Ordre [du Saint-Esprit] counsellor in his council of state, captain of fifty men-at-arms of his ordinances, and one of the four chamberlains of his Majesty in Court". Rome, 12 July 1582. 1 p. folio. Circular watermark with griffin. Some minor paper tears. VERY RARE. "Monseigneur ie vous veus escrire ce petit mot, pour vous donner une nouvelle qui vous plaira. Monsr le [?]taire sent for me yesterday and told me that he had obtained for me from the Pope a new pension of three hundred escus d'or in Spain: so that [?] his promise has been fulfilled. I wanted you to be the first to know. first to know: quem scio mea solide gavisurum gaudia. Please demonstrate this in letters, if it pleases you lately to tell me that you wish to do so, it will be a great honour and favour to me. I await your children in good devotion to serve them in any way I can, and even though [? begin to give me a taste of rest, if it seems to me that I will recover my heart to be of service to them. I wish to remain in your grace, in that of Madame, and of all those who belong to you; and kissing your hands ex animo hands, pray to God, My Lord, that he may keep you happy and content [...]. Marc-Antoine de Muret". A few years earlier, Stephen Bathori, King of Poland, had tried to persuade Muret. Pope Gregory XIII held him back and granted him several pensions in gold ecus, including the present one. Louis Chastaigner, lord of Abin [or Abain] and La Roche-Posay, baron of Malleval, had just been appointed by Henry III as one of his four chamberlains. one of his four chamberlains. He also made him a knight of his order.