224 THE PORTRAITS OF JOHN KNOX. Frencli Huguenots to the Protestant Princes of Ger- many, and did not come to settle in Geneva till Spring 1559, several months after Knox had per- manently left it. Directly after finishing his Book, Beza naturally forwarded a copy to Edinburgh, to the little patron Sovereign there ; probably with no writing in it ; there being such a comfortable Dedication and Fron- tispiece to the Book, but along with it a short letter to Buchanan, the little King's Head-tutor, of which happily there is a copy still preserved to us, and ready translated, as follows :
- Behold, my dear Buchanan, a notable instance of
'double extravagance in a single act; affording an
- illustration of the characteristic phrenzy of poets, —
'provided you admit me to a participation of that
- title. I have been guilty of trifling with a serious
' subject, and have dedicated my trifles to a king. If 'with your usual politeness, and in consideration 'of our ancient friendship, you should undertake to
- excuse both these circumstances to the King, I trust
' the matter will have a fortunate issue : but if you ' refuse, I shall be disappointed in my expectations.
