saying in her defence, That _he had liberty to banish his Nephews_, _as
much as he pleased_, _but not the Roman Princesses_. Neither would she
depart the City, the same day her Husband left it; but some time after
she followed, saying, that it was not to obey the Pope, but to go to her
Husband.
There was no body in Court or City, who did not pity this Ladies case,
and tax the Pope not only of ingratitude towards a princess, who had
refused great Princes to marry his Nephew, but also layed brutishness and
dulness to his charge, as one who could not see the infinite advantages
this match did bring to his family; and to say true, there was nothing in
this alliance, that could with any reason move the Popes indignation
against his Nephew, who was the only support of the family, and who for
his natural defects and incapacity of business, ought rather to have been
excused, then reproached with this so advantagious a change of condition;
where the fortune, the beauty, the youth, and the parts of the Lady were
incomparable qualities, which might be sufficient to make a Queen,
besides fecundity, which soon after she shewed.
Yet for all this, the Pope did stop his eares to all reason, and guided,
or rather miss-led by his own fancy, and the perswasions of _Donna
Olympia_, continued his severity towards this new married couple.
If we may guess at the reasons of this so extraordinary a proceeding, I
believe the chiefest was, because, that this Pope by an extravagant
capriccio had resolv’d to introduce his Sister in Law, in the place of
the other Popes Nipotismo’s; and he accordingly gave to _Donna Olympia_,
an absolute authority, not only over the Church and State, but over his
own person, not daring to take any resolution without this Ladies leave.
And this was a thing without Example; for if _Alexander_ the sixth gave
himself up to _Vanoccia_ the _Roman_ Courtisan, by whom he had many
bastards, yet he never suffer’d her to have any hand in the Government,
but would divert himself in his houres of recreation with her. Whereas
_Donna Olympia_ was called to the _Vatican_, not to serve _Innocentius_,
but to command him, which she did with so much authority, that she seemed
to be the Pope, and he to be neither a man, nor a Pope.
If ever the Church was shamefully set out, and satyrically painted by the
Hereticks, it was in this time; for there was not any place where the
publick discourse was not about this extravagant fancy of the Popes to
renounce his own Nephew, and give himself and the Popedome, into the
hands of a Woman, heretofore—and now grown ambitious and covetous.
Catholicks and Hereticks together were astonish’d, and did murmure to
see, that he who called himself the head of the Church, should be subject
to the appetite of a woman; and that to her ambitious desires, he should
be content to sacrifice his own Nephew, and deprive himself of that help
and succour, which according to the example of his predecessors, he might
have expected from him.
If there were any Offices vacant, or places empty in the Court, nothing
was to be determin’d about them, without the advice of _Donna Olympia_;
nay, if there were Benefices to be conferr’d, the Officers of the
_Datary_ or _Chancery_ durst not expediate the Bulls for them, having
receiv’d an express order from his holiness, to suspend the expedition of
all business, ’till his sister in Law was instructed of it, and gave her
consent. If any Bishopricks were to be provided with able Pastors; all
the competitors made it their business to Court her; and that which was
worst, was, that they ordinarily carried it, who offered most money, and
not they that had greatest deserts; though it were true, That the more
the person was unfit, the more was he fain to give to be admitted.
But this Womans pride, carried her to that point of insolence, that not
thinking it enough to have had a Cardinals Cap for one of her young
Nephews, altogether unworthy of so high a Dignity, but pretended besides,
that in all promotions, her voyce and consent should be expected, and
followed: From hence proceeded that the Courtiers, seeing her exercise
this power, either, out of fear, or hope, did frequent her Palace, and
daily go to wait upon her, not daring to put any end to business already
begun, or begin any other, before they had acquainted her with every
particularity of it.
_Cardinal Panzirolo_ himself, Secretary of State to _Innocentius_, and
oppressed with multitude of affairs, and the indisposition of his body,
was not free from this base Courtship; but that he might humour his
master, who was infinitely pleased to see _Donna Olympia_ obeyed, was
fain to go in person very often to wait upon her, and give her an account
of all the secret negotiations of the Court, and of every thing that
passed through his hands: after which she would from time to time, go to
the _Vatican_, followed with a numerous company of Coaches, and her hands
full of Papers, which she had already drawn up, as she would have them
pass, and there stay whole houres with the Pope, in discussing, and
ripening other business that was next to fall in order.
The wits of the Court seeing this, could not forbear so good a subject
for _Pasquins_, but made them with all sharpness, yet as secretly as they
could, they being well inform’d of the danger, oft exposing the defects
of those that Rule: and though every body were mov’d with indignation to
see the Pope so much mistake himself, as to preferre the company of a
Woman to that of his Nephew, and the Princess of _Rossana_ his Wife, the
only prop of the Family of _Pomphilio_; yet _Innocent_ was so
prepossessed against them, that he would not hear of his Nephewes
submissions and excuses.
These murmurs and satyrical Discourses were all this while, either
concealed from the Pope, or at least dissembled by him; as being
unresolved of the means that should bridle so many tongues, and stop the
mouthes of all Christendome; particularly, of the Protestants, who made
very good sport with this female Government, not only laughing at the
Pope, who by the assistance of the holy Ghost could not discern that
which was the ruin of his reputation and family, but also by immodest
representations, and contumehous pictures, giving the world to
understand, that they were fully informed of the disorders of the Church
of _Rome_.
But at last the Pope, not being able to endure any longer the secret
reproofs, and publick affronts which he received from Embassadours, and
Princes themselves, as well as from the greatest part of the Cardinals;
resolv’d to dismiss from the Court this ambitious sister in Law, whose
unbridled licence he had hitherto countenanced, and to take away from her
all sort of command and power.
Thus _Donna Olympia_ being banished from Court, and the _Vatican_ purged
of her corruptions, the Pope bethought himself of introducing a
Nipotismo, that the Church might not loose its prescription.
But before we begin to discourse of the particularities of this new
Nipotismo, it will not be amiss to give an account of all the Popes
kindred & relations, and begin with his nearest. He had one Nephew, and
two Neeces, besides a sister, of whom we shall say but little as, well
because she led a Nuns life in a Convent, as, because that _Donna
Olympia_, out of a natural jealousie between Women, took care to keep her
from receiving any kindnesses or favours from the Pope.
* * * * *
The Prince _Camillo Pamphilio_, though after three years banishment, he
were at last recall’d to _Rome_ with his Lady, was nevertheless in so ill
a predicament with his Uncle, who never was able to forget those tales
which _Donna Olympia_ had continually entertained him with, to his
Nephews disadvantage, that he was in _Rome_, as if he had been at the
_Indies_, never coming neer the Pope or Court, at which he was not much
troubled, as one who cared not to be concern’d in business, and thought
himself happy enough in all private enjoyment of so lovely a Lady as his
was.
Of the two sisters, the Popes Neeces, the eldest was married to _D.
Andrea Giustiniani_, who himself was a great favourite of fortune: For
the Marquess _Giustiniani_, a person of great quality and estate, seeing
himself without any heirs of his family and name, cast his Eyes by chance
upon this Gentleman who was then very poor and low, and though, as it
afterwards proved, he was of the same branch of the _Giustiniani_ with
the Marquess; yet it was at such a distance, that neither of them did
believe themselves at all a-kin; he was then thus fortunately instituted
Heir to a very great estate, by which means the way to _Grandeur_ being
made easie to him, he found no difficulty in obtaining in marriage the
neece of Cardinal _Pamphilio_, who being immediatly after chosen Pope,
the Prince _Giustiniani_ saw himself of a sudden become a part of the
_Roman_ Nipotismo, enjoying those honours and prerogatives which the
_Romans_ do use to observe towards persons of that quality.
But the Pope had no real kindness for him, and having given him some
profitable offices, refused to introduce him into the management of
business, but left him to play the good husband in his own estate. And
indeed employments of another nature had been lost upon him, for besides
that he had alwayes retain’d something of his meanness when he was poor;
there was nothing laudable in him but a natural bounty; and the Pope
being well inform’d, did abstain from using his service in any thing of
importance.
The other sister was married to _Don Nicolo Ludovisio_, Prince of
_Piombino_, Nephew of _Gregory_ the fifteenth, and brother to that
Cardinal _Ludovisio_, who in _Gregory’s_ time govern’d all things. This
prince had enclin’d to this match, out of an opinion of making great
advantages by it, as seeing at that time that Cardinal _Camillo_ was made
Cardinal, and altogether unfit for business, so that he flattered himself
with an opinion of being the only Nephew, and governing the Pope and
Church.
But when it came to the push, he found he had misreckoned; for _Donna
Olympia_, his mother in law, disappointed all his ambition by hers, not
being dispos’d to suffer that any body should rule but her self: So that
the Prince was reduced to a meer complacence and obedience to her
commands. Neither was it to any purpose that sometimes he would complain
of the difficulties he found to be admitted to the Popes audience, and
receive those marks of kindness which seem’d due to so neer a relation,
for _Donna Olympia_ answer’d him in a haughty manner, That _it was honors
enough for him that he had been preferr’d to marry her Daughter before so
many competitors of as great a quality as himself_. Whereupon the Prince
being unwilling to come to a rupture with one who had so great an
influence upon the Pope, would hold his tongue and be quiet.
Yet from time to time he was forced amongst his private friends, to give
a vent to his grief by telling them, That the Popes Alliance had brought
him into the disgrace of the _French_; whereupon his principality of
_Piombino_ was by them made a Theater of their fury, for not being able
to do the Pope mischeif openly, as they would have wished, they did
content their spight in ruining a place belonging to so neer a relation
as he was to the Pope. So that the loss and dammage he receiv’d, by
being thus allyed was certain; whereas the advantages were uncertain and
inconsiderable, consisting only in some incomes from his place of General
of the Galleys, and some such offices which he little esteemed.
But when _Donna Olympia_ fell once from that heighth of favour, then this
Prince being very sure, that the Pope could not subsist without some body
to help him in so great a charge; and knowing himself to be in as neer a
degree as any body, and as fit for the employment, began to conceive
hopes of being called to Court, and admitted to the management of
business. And here again, The poor Prince was deceived; for _Innocent_
had all along conceived such an ill opinion, and received from _Donna
Olympia_ such disadvantagious impressions of him, that he would never see
him, but when he had a mind to be merry, making the Prince serve as a
Buffoon to his diversion, and never so much as mentioning any serious
matter in his presence.
For all this the Popes relations were fully perswaded, That the Pope must
of necessity bestow the Title of Nephew upon some body; and seeing that
among his kindred none would please him, they went insinuating sometimes
one, sometimes another into the Popes affections. Innocent of his side
was in perpetual conferences with Cardinal _Pantiallo_ about the same
business, so that every hour of the day they were examining the good
qualities of one or other to choose the most deserving.
In this scarcity of subjects fit for the employment, the Prince
_Ludovisio_ thought, that the honour might fall upon the person of
Cardinal _Albergati_, who went by the name of _Ludovisio_, but he soon
found an exclusion in the Popes mind, as being ignorant and uncapable of
such a place.
The Jesuite _Fabio Albergati_, brother to the said Cardinal, was the
fitter man, as being endowed with learning, experience, and great wisdome
in the managing of business; but the Pope declar’d, That he would not
make two brothers of the same family Cardinals.
So that at last, of all those that had been brought upon the Stage, there
remained none but he that Cardinal _Panzirolo_ brought on, who was a
prodigious off-spring of fortune, and the wonder of Christendome, which
was astonish’d to see a Pope so averse from his relations as to declare a
supposed Nephew for Cardinal, and Padrone: but before we engage in the
particularities of this singular event, we will say something to instruct
the Reader about it.
There never was acted upon the Theater of the Court of _Rome_ so
unexpected and strange a Scene, which therefore deserves to be reckoned
amongst the prodigious effects of Fortune; for the Pope having no
consanguinity with him, and he being without deserts, experience, or any
remarkable quality that might make him conspicuous, nay, being scarce
known, or at least not familiarly to the Pope; he was nevertheless of a
sudden exalted and promoted to the degree of Cardinal, Nephew, and
Padrone, as if he had been the head of the _Pamphilian_ Family: And to
deserve all this, there was no quality but that, being born of a Noble
Family, which nevertheless at that time was so far indebted and decayed,
that he was not to expect any assistance in his fortune from them.
His name, not to hold the _Lector_ any longer in suspense, was _Camillo
Astalli_, a young Gentleman of about seven and twenty years old, of a
comely aspect, and a handsome winning carriage, though guilty sometimes
of too many complements, and in a word accomplish’d, as they ordinarily
are, whose highest ambition carries them no further in _Rome_ then some
Office or Prelature.
And that which most surprized the Court, was to see one exalted thus,
under pretence of serving and helping the Pope in the administration of
State Affairs; one who was an absolute novice to all negotiations and
policy, by reason of the few occasions he had had to learn any thing of
that nature.
But the occasion of his coming to court and making himself known, was,
the alliance which the Marquess his brother had contracted with a Neece
of _Donna Olympia’s_, for she being ambitious had alwayes embrac’d the
occasions of marrying her relations into noble families, as having a
design to honour, by such props, her own family of _Maldachini_, to whom
that flower of nobility was denyed, which was an affliction to a Popes
sister in Law, and a sister in Law that govern’d with an absolute
authority.
As it fell out, it was very fortunate for the house of _Astalli_, that
they were allyed with her; because that they wanted riches to maintain
their gentility the more, since they had at the invitation of _Donna
Olympia_ bought the place of Clerk of the Apostolick chamber, which
office had absorb’d the greatest part of their Patrimony; so that, if by
chance the possessor of it did fail to make a fortune, or did dye
suddenly, the whole family did run the hazard of being begger’d for ever.
But all fell out luckily; for _Astalli_, having by meanes of his office
and alliance got an entrance into the Court, addicted himself
particularly to worship and court Cardinal _Panzirollo_, the Secretary of
State, who had a great Empire over the Pope; and that which was most
fortunate, was, that this Cardinal answer’d the young mans affection with
the like on his side, being gained by his obsequious carriage; at which
all the Court was much surprized, considering that Cardinal _Panzirollo_
had alwayes discovered an inveterate hatred against any one that was in
favour with _Innocent_.
Here the contrary fell out, for _Panzirollo_ made it his task, to
insinuate this young Gentleman into the Popes affections, which at last
he did so far, that the Pope was infinitely pleased with his comely garb
and handsome carriage; and when it came to be debated, whom he should
choose to ease him of a part of those cares and fatigues which accompany
the Popedom, seeing none of his own Relations qualified for the
Employment, he followed Panzirollo’s directions, and preferr’d this young
man before all the other pretendants; so without any more to do, he was
created Cardinal, declared Nephew, proclaim’d _Padrone_, and had the name
of _Pamphilio_ given him, together with the key of the Popes Closet, to
go out and in when he pleased.
As soon as this news was spread through _Rome_, the Politicians following
the humor of the Town, began to discourse of what would follow, and
endeavoured to penetrate the secret causes of the Popes aversion to his
Kindred, that should move him thus to set up a counterfeit Nephew: In the
mean time, the true _Nipotismo_ were all met in _Donna Olympia’s_ house,
there to condole with one another, upon this affront and shame which had
befallen them.
_Donna Olympia_, who above all was enraged at this so strange a mutation
of government, and who doubted not, as it was true, but that Cardinal
_Panzirollo_ was the Author of it, went to him, and shewed her resentment
in menaces and threats, with all the passion a woman was capable of. The
Cardinal being satisfied, that he had obtained his desire, was not much
moved at her reproaches, and those of her kindred, but answering her with
his ordinary gravity and flegm, told her, _That things did not_, _as she
might think_, _depend upon his councels_, _but upon the Popes
inclinations_, _who lov’d to do what he pleased_, _and nothing else_.
All this while _Rome_ was in a perpetual vicissitude of tears and joy; of
joy, to hear the new counterfeit _Nipotismo’s_ transports; of grief and
sorrow, to hear the complaints of the old and real _Nipotismo_.
Ambassadours came laughing and merry from one Visit, to go sad and full
of tears to another. The Priests, adherents to the old _Nipotismo_, said
Mass, and implored patience from Heaven for them in their sufferings; and
the flatterers of the new, offered thanksgivings, and prayed for help
from Heaven for the continuation of its power: while the new and false
_Nipotismo_ went triumphant through _Rome_, and received the respects of
every one, the true and real one was fain to sculk and lye close in the
shadow of its afflictions and disgrace.
The Railleries, the Pasquins, and the Discourses about this new way of
enriching the Church with a _Nipotismo_, were infinite, there being no
body that could imagine, from what Wits could spring so many different
Conceits, bad and good, as were publish’d upon this new subject.
The Cardinal _Sforza_, who had alwayes assum’d to himself the liberty of
saying any thing; as soon as he heard the news of this resolution of the
Popes, was the first that began to make _Pasquins_, for the next day, in
presence of four of the chiefest Cardinals of the Colledge, he said these
very words, _Now that the Pope_ Innocent _hath introduced the custome of
making false Nephews_, _the other Popes will never fail of Nephews_, _for
they will make whole Regiments of them_, _and fill with such a generation
our Colledge of Cardinals_.
But the words of a certain Prelate of _Parma_ were more sharp and biting,
which were these, _I foresee_, said he, _that one day the Popes will
throw Dice for their_ Nipotismo, _and take what comes uppermost_, _and so
the affairs of the Church will be managed at an adventure_.
Yet for all this, the new Nephew had all the interest of the Church and
State put into his hands, though with some limitation, for the Pope
communicated all things to him, and particularly matters of State; not so
much to lay the weight of them upon him, as to instruct him how he should
mannage them, for he durst not yet trust to his small experience, for
fear of being deceiv’d. Thus _Astalli_ had properly nothing but the name
and honour of Cardinal _Padrone_, subscribing to all the Nuntioes,
Legates and Governours Commissions, and receiving Embassadours, when the
Pope was indisposed, though still with the obligation of reporting every
thing to his Holiness.
As long as Cardinal _Panzirollo_ liv’d, _Astalli’s_ fortune was
prosperous and good, because that the Popes kindred durst not by any
means go about to supplant him, though they hated him perfectly, knowing
that the Cardinals perswasions would still prevail with their Uncle more
then their credit; whereupon they dissembled their design, and, according
to the custom of _Rome_, seem’d to rejoyce for that thing which they most
abhorr’d.
But no sooner had Cardinal _Panzirollo_ yeilded up his last breath, but
_Astalli_ began to perceive the decay of his fortune, and to mistrust
that which afterwards befell him; for no sooner had this Cardinal shut
his eyes, but the Popes kindred went about to undo him, and easily
compass’d their intention, the Pope beginning to revive that affection,
which he had formerly born to his Sister in law. One morning then, as
the Cardinal _Padrone_ was rising out of his bed, he receiv’d a Message
from the Pope, whereof the bearer told him, _That by his Holinesses Order
he was banished from_ Rome, _and forbidden the Popes presence for ever_;
_that he should lay aside the title of Cardinal_ Padrone, _and renounce
the name of Nephew as well as that of_ Pamphilio. And in a word, not
only all his Revenue was seised on, but he could not get leave to
transport any thing of his houshold-stuffe or moveables. So that the
poor Cardinal was fain to forsake _Rome_, seeing that all _wayes_ to
justifie himself were shut up, and all the favour he could obtain was,
that he might depart in the night, to avoid the derision and mocking of
the people.
The motive of this so severe a sentence, with which _Astalli_ was
treated, as if he had been guilty of high Treason, was this; The
_Barbarines_ having been recall’d and reconcil’d to the Pope, were now
great with him, and at their perswasion, _Innocent_ had begun to think of
taking the Kingdom of _Naples_ from the _Spaniard_; upon which subject
there were often Conferences held between him, the _Barbarines_, and his
Kindred, excluding still from their Counsels the Cardinal _Astalli_; who
thereby perceiving, that the Popes Kindness for him did begin to abate,
thought it would be prudently done, to provide in time some other
protection, that so his fall might be less, and he might have something
to hang by, which might hinder him from falling to the bottom of that
precipice, which was digging for him.
Having therefore penetrated into these secret designs of the Pope, he
gave the _Spaniards_ notice of them closely, and the advice came no
sooner to the Catholick Kings ears, but he immediately gave such Orders
in the Kingdom of _Naples_, as quite disappointed the _Barbarines_ plot,
by shutting that door, which was to give an entrance to the execution of
their design.
_Azzolini_, a Confident and Spy of _Donna Olympia’s_, took upon him to
discover who it was that had betrayed them, and after an exact search
found, that it could be no body but _Astalli_; whereupon the Pope
banish’d him, and made _Azzolini_ Cardinal for his recompence.