DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42861#0219
CtESAR BORGIA HIS SPONSOR 179
already master of Rome and aspired to reign over all
Italy. The Pope’s son, wrote the Ferrarese envoy,
Pandolfo Collenuccio, “ has a great soul and seeks
fame and grandeur, but cares more to conquer States
than to govern and defend them. He is fierce in his
revenge and never forgives a wrong, so I hear on all
sides.” The truth of this report was confirmed by the
Pope himself, who remarked, in conversation with
another Ferrara agent, Costabili: “The Duke is a
good-natured man, but he cannot forgive an insult.
The other day I told him that Rome was a free city,
where every one had a right to say what he pleased.
‘ That may be all very well for Rome,’ replied
Csesar, ‘ but I will teach people to be sorry for what
they say.’ ”1
From the first, Francesco Gonzaga and his wife
realised the growing power of Duke Valentino, as he
was popularly called in Italy, and lost no opportunity
of conciliating this dangerous personage. A few days
after his son’s birth, the Marquis wrote to ask him to
stand sponsor to the little Federico, an honour which
Caesar accepted with alacrity, as we learn from a note
written on the 24th of May :—
“ I heard of the fortunate and much-desired birth
of Your Excellency’s little son with exultation as
great as if it had been my own, and gladly accept
the honour you propose to do me, begging that you
will depute one of your councillors to represent me
at the font and will give my congratulations to your
most illustrious consort, hoping this babe may be the
first of a numerous race of sons destined to perpetuate
the name of two such noble and glorious parents.”2
1 Pastor, “ History of the Popes,” vi. 113.
2 F. Gregorovius, “ Lucrezia Borgia,” p. 66.
already master of Rome and aspired to reign over all
Italy. The Pope’s son, wrote the Ferrarese envoy,
Pandolfo Collenuccio, “ has a great soul and seeks
fame and grandeur, but cares more to conquer States
than to govern and defend them. He is fierce in his
revenge and never forgives a wrong, so I hear on all
sides.” The truth of this report was confirmed by the
Pope himself, who remarked, in conversation with
another Ferrara agent, Costabili: “The Duke is a
good-natured man, but he cannot forgive an insult.
The other day I told him that Rome was a free city,
where every one had a right to say what he pleased.
‘ That may be all very well for Rome,’ replied
Csesar, ‘ but I will teach people to be sorry for what
they say.’ ”1
From the first, Francesco Gonzaga and his wife
realised the growing power of Duke Valentino, as he
was popularly called in Italy, and lost no opportunity
of conciliating this dangerous personage. A few days
after his son’s birth, the Marquis wrote to ask him to
stand sponsor to the little Federico, an honour which
Caesar accepted with alacrity, as we learn from a note
written on the 24th of May :—
“ I heard of the fortunate and much-desired birth
of Your Excellency’s little son with exultation as
great as if it had been my own, and gladly accept
the honour you propose to do me, begging that you
will depute one of your councillors to represent me
at the font and will give my congratulations to your
most illustrious consort, hoping this babe may be the
first of a numerous race of sons destined to perpetuate
the name of two such noble and glorious parents.”2
1 Pastor, “ History of the Popes,” vi. 113.
2 F. Gregorovius, “ Lucrezia Borgia,” p. 66.