laughing, _Father_, _I am no Son of a Covent_; _but indeed I send Sons to
the Covent_, _of whom perhaps your Fathership is one_. The Cardinal
finding his error, thought to mend it by replying to the Embassador,
_Your Excellence may please to excuse __me_; _for the remembrance of the
Capucines is so fresh my mind_, _that I take all for Capucines that speak
with me_: The Embassadour laught; and rising up, said, _’Tis well_, _my
Lord_, _I will be gone then_, _that I may not be accounted a Capucine by
your Eminence_.
Moreover, whilst Ministers of Princes talk’d with him of matters of
State, the answers he return’d were about watering of Gardens, sweeping
of hutches, ordering of Vestries, rising in the morning, entring into the
Choire, begging Alms, and so of all such other things, wherein he was a
Master. Nor did he make any difference of persons in his Conferences,
but us’d the same Style to every body, _Your Fathership will pardon me_.
And in his Complements with Embassadours Royal, he would often say, _I
shall accompany you to the door of the Cloister_.
I might relate a thousand such stories, but I will not lengthen the work
more than I ought; although there is scarce any Nephew of _Popes_ whose
mean and carriage, after their sudden advancement to the degree of
Princes, affords me not matter for a long discourse.
’Tis enough that publick Ministers cannot forbear laughter and scorn in
their negotiating with them which serve to inform them of their
infirmities. Whence the Embassadour _Justiniani_, being ask’d one day,
_whether he was goeing to negotiate with_ Astalli? Answer’d, _Not to
negotiate with him_, _but to instruct him_. And indeed, such instruction
is extreme necessary to the best of them.
But that which displeases them most, is, that after much pains taken to
instruct them, they must lose the fruits thereof, and begin all the same
course over again with their Successors.
The last difficulty in managing affairs with the Nephews, ariseth from
their incomparable Avarice, which is so predominant in them, that they
appear meer insensible Statues in every thing else, but in studying the
means how to make themselves great.
_Boniface_ the ninth was the most dextrous, subtle, and ingenious _Pope_
for accumulating wealth, that ever sate in the _Vatican_; whence he was
wont to say, _That he had rather have a little Fish in hand_, _than a
great Dolphin in the main Sea_; And at other times, _That an Egg in the
morning is better than a Hen at night_. And accordingly, he was
contented to lose the interest of a whole year to anticipate the payment
of a day, and he alwaies made his Receivers bring him every night the
money they had collected; and sometimes he would sit up till midnight
expecting them, in regard he could not sleep otherwise through fear of
being undone.
This exorbitant Covetousness wholly withdrew his mind from the care of
the Papacy, both in Civil and Ecclesiastical matters; Embassadours could
not please him better, than to discourse to him of the means to get
money; and when they mentioned other matters pertaining to the publick
good, they receiv’d no answer sutable to the question; because his
thoughts were not imploy’d about what the Embassadours spoke, but about
what the Receivers of Gabels and Taxes had said to him; with whom he
entertain’d long conferences, little caring to give audience to
Embassadours.
Clement the seventh, who never shew’d himself so extraordinarily
covetous, though covetous too, had his mind distracted in the like
manner, from what was at any time spoken to him, if it were not about
money: Whence being one day requested by the Imperial Embassadour to joyn
with the Emperour, and other Princes, in a League against the Turk; the
Embassadour perceiving that the _Pope_ gave him no answer, said, _Your
Holiness saies nothing to my Proposal_; Whereunto the _Pope_ return’d,
_No_, _for you counsel us to spend money_, _and we are thinking on the
means to get it_.
_Paul_ the fourth, standing one day in a great musing in the presence of
Cardinal _Campeggio_, was ask’d by him, _Why he stood so pensive_? The
_Pope_ answer’d, _I am thinking whether you_ (_who perhaps may be my
Successour_) _are likely to be richer than my self_.
_Sixtus Quintus_, who was one of the greatest _Popes_ that the _Vatican_
ever saw, had no other fault, but that he spent most hours of the day in
devising what might be done to bring money into his Chests. And he seems
to have died with the same thoughts in his head; for being ask’d by the
_Venetian_ Embassadour, two daies before his death, _How he did_? He
answered, _I should be much better_, _if I had more money to spend_.
_Urban_ the eighth, in the war he had with the Duke of _Parma_, and other
confederate Princes, lost no little reputation, in attempting the
destruction of a Prince so well deserving of the Church, and hazarding
the safety of all _Italy_; yet he car’d not so much for the dishonour
which the Church receiv’d in his person, nor for the great murmur of the
people, as for the money disburs’d in it; lamenting the same often with
his Nephews, and reproving them for _having engaged him in a War of so
great expence_: as if the loss of money made deeper impression in the
_Pope’s_ heart, than the detriment of the Church and of Christendom.
Most of the _Pope’s_ Nephews call the hours wherein they give Audience to
Embassadours, _hours of poverty_, _and of misery_; because they cannot at
those times think how to advance their Houses: and therefore they strive
to shift them off as much as possible, and many times they promise all
before ’tis ask’d, only to be at their liberty.
Some will not allow it to be meerly charity in _Alexander_, to assume to
himself the load of all Civil Affairs of importance; but only a design to
lighten his Nephews of it, and leave them more time to bestow on
contrivance to fill their Coffers.
Better perhaps ’twould be for the Church, and the State too, if all
_Popes_ would do the like; for to lay the weight of great affairs upon
such weak shoulders, is to confound their understandings, and put them in
danger of shaming themselves by discovering their addle brains in
business: As a good Nephew did in discourse with the French Embassadour
about the number of Protestants in _France_; for meaning to say, _How
many Hereticks are there in_ France? He mistook, and said, _How many
Pistols are there in_ France? Which errour the Embassadour well
observing, and knowing the Cardinal Nephew more intent on the money of
his Coffers than the benefit of the Church, he answer’d, _The King my
Master hath not so many Hereticks in his Kingdom_, _as he hath Pistols in
his Exchequer_.
’Tis not 2000 Ages, since a certain _Pope’s_ Nephew said to a familiar
friend of his, who brought him notice, that the Spanish Embassadour was
coming to negotiate with him: _These Embassadours bring us business_,
_and not money_, _talking all day long with us so __tediously_, _as if we
were slaves_, _and not_ (Padroni) _Masters of the Church and State_.
The same Cardinal, as often as he return’d to his Chamber from
accompanying the publick Ministers (who had visited him) to the door, as
the custom is, would fall into a passion, and scornfully say to his
Servants: _I have lost two hours time with this pitiful Embassadour_,
_and he has gain’d some with me_; _if any other come_, _say I am not at
home_.
But worse was that other, (not long since dead) who, as much as he could,
avoyded the audience of such Ministers, sometimes pretending
indisposition, and sometimes that he was not at home; which the _Pope_
his Uncle understanding ask’d him the reason, _Why he did so_? The
Cardinal answer’d plainly, _Whilst I am with Embassadours_, _my Coffers
fill with nothing but wind_; _but when I am alone_, _they fill with
money_.
The same good Nephew had another custome, that when notice was given of
the arrival of an Embassadour at the Gate, he would in displeasure cry,
_I would his neck were broke_. But when ’twas told him that an Officer
of the Datary (that is, the Exchequer) was at the door, he would cry with
joy, _He is welcome_.
A certain Embassadour, knowing this Nephew’s humour, contriv’d how to
make his Visits not grievous; and to that purpose, before he desired
Audience, or at least at the same time, he thought fit to give him
notice; that he desir’d to speak with him for nothing else but the
resignation of a certain Benefice, which the Prince his Master intended
to make into the hands of his Holiness’s Nephews.
The device took well, for the greedy Nephew believing it true, receiv’d
him with a very good countenance: and the Embassadour fail’d not to usher
in his publick business with a Preface about resigning the foresaid
Benefice or Abbey, although the Prince his Master knew no more of any
such thing than I; and so got a fair reception.
’Twere good, that all publick Agents would put the same tricks upon those
avaricious Nephews, and not be so scrupulous as they are; since the
Nephews make no scruple to slight their addresses, to breake off all
Negotiations, and to confound whatsoever is offer’d to them.
Without such inventions they are like to get little good from the visits
to the Nephews, who consider nothing but their own Interests, and are
indifferent to those of Princes; whence ’tis easie to judge they will do
little good in those matters, in which they are engag’d with an ill will.
This may serve concerning the difficulties which Princes Ministers meet
with in their affairs with the _Popes_ and their Nephews, and how to
avoid the same. Let us now proceed to the Enquiry, _Why the Families of_
Popes _continue not long in Grandeur_.
Some compare the _Nipotismo_ to a Tree which is guarded by all, whilst
laden with fruit; but as soon as it happens to be deprived thereof,
either by the hands of men, or progress of time, every body forsakes it,
and nature her self leaves it barren, dry, and hateful, even to the eye
of the beholders.
I do not altogether like this comparison, because Trees bear fruit for
others; whereas the good Nephews of _Popes_ take all to themselves: and I
should rather compare them to Pismires, which all day long go from place
to place, seeking provisions wherewith to fill their Nests, and stop not
a moment till they see them full.
There is no body but wonders to behold how the Families of _Popes_ daily
decline, there being scarce two found that have continued one intire Age,
or which remain in the same splendour wherein they were seen to shine,
not only during the Reign of the _Popes_ their Kinsmen, but for some
lustres after; and although some may seem at present to be found great,
yet my Observation cannot therefore be decry’d as false, in regard of
other reasons to be alledged concerning this matter.
There is no doubt, but many Families are found at this day in _Rome_ of
good quality and esteem, who have had _Popes_ descended from them before
_Sixtus_ the fourth; as the Family of _Conti_ hath had two _Popes_ in the
_Vatican_, _Innocent_ the third, and _Gregory_ the ninth; The Family of
_Fiesco_, reputed at present the chief Family of _Genoa_, hath likewise
afforded two _Popes_, _Innocent_ the fourth, and _Adrian_ the fifth; And
so that of _Orsini_, hath had _Nicholas_ the third; That of _Savelli_,
_Honorius_ the fourth; _La Gaettana_, hath had _Boniface_ the eighth;
_Picolomini_, _Pius_ the Second; _Colonna_, _Martin_ the fifth; not to
mention others, that have had their _Popes_ too.
But this is the difference: ’tis one thing for _Popes_ to issue from a
Noble Family, and another for Families to rise from the _Popes_. The
foresaid Houses received not their Splendour, Nobility, and Wealth from
the Papal Grandeur, but it may rather be said, that the Papal Grandeur
received splendour from those Families.
Besides, in those daies the Nephews of _Popes_ remain’d at home, and did
not come to _Rome_; if they did, they brought not with them that
insatiable avarice which Nephews bring (or have brought hitherto) when
they enter into possession of the _Vatican_. I mean not therefore to
speak of those Families, which have been in great esteem as well since
they have had _Popes_ of them, as before. None of these is advanc’d by
the Papacy, but remains in the same manner without growth in Ambition,
Riches, or Glory.
Particularly, the House of _Colonna_ (which is at present one of the most
considerable, not of _Rome_ only, but of all _Italy_) hath so little
valu’d the Papal Grandeur in its lot, that they have often persecuted it,
only to let the World see that the _Colonneses_ pretended not to glory in
the Treasures of the Church, but in the merit of the persons, exemplified
in the valour of so many illustrious men, who have spent much of their
bloud for the service of the _Popes_ themselves.
’Tis certain, that by two _Popes_ issu’d out of the House of _Colonna_,
the _Colonneses_ have had so little advantage, either in dignity or
wealth, that they may say that the _Popes_ were taken out of their
Family, and that they have the honour to be _Colonneses_ of the House of
_Colonna_, but not _Colonneses_ of the House of _Popes_. But there are
many other Families, whose glory it is to have had their rise from the
fortune given them by _Popes_, without which they would never have been
any thing considerable; and these are the Families of which I am to
speak.
The Family of _Rovere_, from which _Sixtus_ the fourth was descended, of
it self was very noble, and had liv’d so for above two Ages in
_Lombardy_, but by various changes and accidents it was declin’d to such
a degree that the chief branch was remov’d to _Savona_, and there
remain’d many years in a mediocrity of fortune amongst the principal
Citizens, till _Sixtus_, being made _Pope_, determin’d to revive it to a
greater fortune at the cost of the _Vatican_, and the publick Treasury.
All the glories of this House, though dispersed here and there by _Pope
Sixtus_, yet in a little time became confined to the sole possession of
the Dutchy of _Urbin_, which indeed the House of _Rovere_ possessed, but
not without great persecutions for the space of 150 years and more,
beginning from 1475 till 1631. When the said House was extinguished by
the death of _Francesco Maria_, the last Duke, or of _Guido Ubaldo_, if I
remember right; there remaining no other Heirs save _Donna Vittoria della
Rovere_, married to _Ferdinand_ the second great Duke of _Tuscany_.
It may be said, as I shall afterwards prove, that this was the only
Family (rais’d by _Popes_) that continued so long together in greatness:
and I believe the goodness of the Dukes, who succeeded one after another,
contributed not a little to this continuance, which seems to surpass the
ordinary measures.
But if we will measure things with the right rule, we shall find that the
Family of _Rovere_ liv’d in Grandeur but one Age; for there is no
necessity to begin to reckon from the time of _Sixtus_, but from _Julius_
the second, who was of the same House; who seeing it much declin’d by
reason of the great persecutions of _Alexander_ the Sixth, determined to
succour it, though not by burdening the Church, which was in the year
1510. Neither is it needful to extend the reckoning till 1631. because
for above twenty years before the death of the last Duke, the
Ecclesiasticks foreseeing the fall of the Dutchy into their own hands, in
regard of the great age of the Duke and his want of male Children, they
resolv’d to take possession of it by degrees; and accordingly insulted
over the poor old Duke, keeping him as if he had been their Subject:
wherefore it may reasonably be said, that the House of _Rovere_, rais’d
by _Sixtus_ continu’d not in grandeur so much as one full Age.
The Family of _Cibo_ hath alwayes produc’d men eminent both for Learning
and Valour; amongst whom there were two _Popes_, _Boniface_ the ninth,
and _Innocent_ the eighth; the former in these dayes, when Nephews were
not wont to enter into _Rome_ with the _Popes_, and the latter
immediately after the death of the abovementioned _Sixtus_. But this
Innocent the eighth would not oppress the Church to enrich his Kindred,
whom he saw wealthy enough, and of good account amongst the chief
Citizens of the Commonwealth of _Genoa_ his Countrey.
He gave them indeed some Offices, but of so small value, that this
_Popes_ Kindred did not think it worth while to leave _Genoa_ for _Rome_,
and so, after the death of _Innocent_, they despis’d their Citizenships
of _Rome_, and return’d to _Genoa_; where within a short time by the
fault of Cardinal _Cibo_, they left the Offices given them by the _Pope_
their Kinsman, and were forc’d to betake themselves to other courses for
a livelihood; well knowing that the Riches receiv’d from the Church stay
not long in the hands of the receivers. And they did wisely, for had
they remain’d at _Rome_, perhaps they would not be at this day in that
grandeur, esteem, and wealth as they are in the City of _Genoa_.
Of the Family of _Alexander_ the Sixth, that barbarous Pope, there would
be much to say, did not the consideration of bravity oblige me to pass
over many reasons of the destruction thereof. This _Alexander_ was
descended from the noble Family of _Lenzoli_ in _Spain_, being Son of
_Goffredo Lenzoli_; but containing both the name and surname of his
family, he took that of _Boria_, which was afterwards turn’d to _Borgia_.
From this Pope sprung the house of _Borgia_, and was by him encreas’d and
advanc’d to that grandeur, whereof we have spoken in other places. It
was divided into two branches, one whereof remain’d in _Spain_ in
possession of its ancient honours, and the other came into _Italy_; where
it became so great by the many Principalities conferr’d on it by the
Pope, that it seem’d likely to flourish to eternity. But on the
contrary, in less than half an Age, it decayed so fast, that ’tis above
fifty years since the Family of _Borgia_ became extinct in _Italy_.
’Tis true, the Branch in _Spain_ continues in some splendour, and
possesses at present the Principality of _Squillace_, which was given by
Pope _Alexander_ to his Family. But this Principality is no great
matter, _Don Ferdinando Borgia_, the present Possessor little caring for
it, for the same reason, as some think, of being purchas’d with the money
of the Church; and glorying only in his possessing what his Ancestors had
got by their valour, and himself gets by the good service he performs to
the Crown, which reckons him one of the chiefest men of _Spain_.
After the Introduction of _Nipotismo_, the Family of _Picolomini_ had
another Pope, to wit, _Pius_ the third, who lived so short a time, that
he was fain to leave his Kindred _Picoli huomini_ (small men) indeed;
although they have kept themselves in the rank of Nobility, by having
receiv’d considerably from the Church, but only for eminent services
perform’d to the same.
We have spoken sufficiently of the House of _Rovere_, and though _Julius_
the second, who was of it, might induce us to speak of it here again: yet
for brevities sake, we will pass to the Family of the _Medici_, which was
indeed amplifi’d by, but not first rais’d by _Popes_, but rather the_
Popes_ rais’d by it.
_Leo_ the tenth did his utmost to render his House potent, not in _Rome_
only, but also in _Florence_; where it was one of the chiefest of that
Commonwealth. But what this _Leo_ could not, _Clement_ the seventh (of
the same Family) effected, having with the Emperours assistance
enthralled his own Countrey to make his Nephews Princes.
This House hath maintain’d it self for above 300 years together in
greatness, and I believe will so continue, because it stands not on the
same foundation with other Families of _Popes_. First, because (as I
said before) it has rather given _Popes_ to the Church, than receiv’d
Being from the _Popes_, without need of whom it kept it self long in
grandeur. And though at first view the great height of this House may
seem to be of right attributed to the force, which _Clement_ the seventh
us’d to enslave his Countrey, and render his Kindred Princes: Yet this is
not pertinent to the question; for _Clement_ took not from the Church to
give to them, but only destroy’d a Republick, which was an obstacle to
the eyes of all _Popes_, and where his Family was already in chief
command. Besides, the _Medici_ were therein as much oblig’d to the House
of _Austria_, by whose Force and Power they undoubtedly receiv’d the
Principality which they possess with so much glory. And accordingly
_Ferdinand_ the second and his Ancestors have alwayes shewed themselves
most grateful for the benefit.
The Family of _Farnese_, which is that of _Paul_ the third, Successor to
_Clement_, came out of _Germany_ into _Italy_, in company of the
Emperours, who often made this Voyage attended by a great number of
_Dutch_ Gentlemen; here the chief of this Family gave in divers cases
great proofs of their valour, and were therefore preferr’d by the chief
and most Potent Princes of _Italy_ to greater Dignities and Offices than
those which they had possess’d at home, as well Civil as Military,
whereof they acquitted themselves well.
The _Popes_ especially were ambitious to have them at their service, and
by their means obtain’d sundry Victories; without which ’tis likely the
Church would have been in great distress. In the Papacy of _Paschal_ the
second, in the year 1100. _Pietro Farnese_, Captain of the Cavalry of
the Church, did wonders in its service, having obtain’d a most glorious
Victory against the _Pope’s_ Enemies on the Coasts of _Tuscany_,
restoring to _Costano_ the name of _Orbitello_, a very ancient Colony,
and replenishing the same with much people.
_Prudentio_ Son of this _Pietro_ under the Papacy of _Lucius_ the second,
and _Pepone_ and _Panuccio_ Sons of _Prudentio_, under the Papacy of
_Innocent_ the third, effected great things in defence of the Church,
which was greatly afflicted with the Schism of the Emperors.
The Grandfather of _Paul_ the third was _Ramecio Farnese_, who overcame,
subdu’d and destroy’d all the Rebels of the Holy Church, which in great
numbers molested the State Ecclesiastical, and almost all Christendom, he
being Captain of the Papal Army in the time of _Eugenio_ the fourth, who
indeed was a very worthy _Pope_, if for nothing else, yet for the good
intention he had to reward the valour of this great Captain; and I think
he rewarded him abundantly by this testimony which he gave him, _The
Church is ours_, _because Farnese hath given it us_.
In short, in the Civil Broils, which continu’d for above four Ages
between the _Popes_ and the Emperors, the Family of _Farnese_ with
incredible valour and felicity reliev’d the drooping state of the Holy
Church.
Nevertheless the last _Popes Urban_ and _Innocent_, ingrateful for these
benefits, went about to ruine this well deserving Family. Now if they
persecute those who with their own Blood and Fortunes have serv’d the
Church, what man will ever serve it for the future?
These two Cities were indeed separated from the Church, and given to the
_Farnesi_, who at first found great opposition, and became Masters of it
with great difficulty, and that not before the time of _Pope Julius_ the
third, in the year 1550. which _Pope_ gave them investiture in despite of
_Charles_ the fifth, (who could never be perswaded to consent) and
assigned them a considerable summe of money for the keeping them.
Within this last forty years the _Popes_ have persecuted these innocent
Princes in that manner, that without the assistance of Forreign Crowns,
and some of the Princes of _Italy_ they had been exterminate before this,
and received so notable a loss, that had it been compared with what they
had received from _Paulus_ the third, it would doubtless have been found
they had received less than they had lost: from whence it may be justly
said, they have not enjoyed that Principality which they possest, as a
feud of the Church, in that peace and repose, for this last half age, as
they ought in reason to have done. For those _Popes_ that gave it them
first, gave them also priviledges to enjoy it without molestation: and
therefore those _Popes_ that have of late troubled the _Farness_ with so
much expense, ought in reason (if there, be any such thing in _Rome_) to
have forfeited their feudale Rights.