[Python] print matrix in spiral order recursively

All the answers I find are proposing iterative solutions. Is there a recursive way of solving this problem? I have an attempt that seems quite close but is not quite correct yet.

Suppose I have this matrix:

matrix = [
["H", "E", "L", "L"],
["N", "I", "E", "I"],
["O", "G", "R", "F"],
["T", "S", "A", "E"]
]


My function should print...

HELLIFEASTTONIERG


This is my code...

def spiral(matrix, i, j):

if i < 0 or j < 0 or i >= len(matrix) or j >= len(matrix) or matrix[j] == False:
return False

print(matrix[j])
matrix[j] = False

if j < len(matrix) and j >= i:
spiral(matrix, i, j+1)

if i < len(matrix) and i <= j:
spiral(matrix, i+1, j)

if j >= 0 and j <= i:
spiral(matrix, i , j-1)

if i >= 0 and i >= j:
spiral(matrix, i-1, j)

spiral(matrix, 0, 0)


It prints somewhat spirally...

HELLIFEASTONGIER


but it is incorrect. Is it possible to alter my function somehow to get the right output because I feel as if I'm close. Or is there any other recursive solution?

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