DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36839#0131
FEDERICO S APPOINTMENT
107
He replied in the kindest terms, and repeated his
injunctions to Madonna Luigia to see that she was
treated liberally and left the house satisfied/
In spite of Castiglione's exertions, the Marquis's
affairs seemed as far as ever from a settlement, and
Federico Gonzaga began to despair of obtaining the
post which the Pope had offered him eight months
before. His joy and surprise were the greater when,
on April 1, he received a secret dispatch from the
Count, containing the news of his appointment.
' I cannot tell you,' he wrote in reply, ' how grate-
fully I received your letter, which has revived me
from death and made me the happiest man in the
world, although I hide my joy, in order to keep the
thing secret and be safe on this account. Pray assure
His Holiness that no one has heard a word of this
saving Madonna Illustrissima and the Castellan. Kiss
the Pope's feet for meA
The Pope's sudden resolution was no doubt due
to the news which he received from his agents at
Worms, and marked his final determination to make
common cause with the Emperor against the French.
Charles had openly declared himself on the side of
the Church, and an edict condemning Luther was
eventually promulgated by the Diet. On May 16
a messenger arrived at Mantua, bringing the Papal
brief confirming the appointment, and Federico sent
a letter of effusive thanks to Castiglione.
'Thank God,' said the Pope to Don Juan, 'who
in these evil times has sent me an Emperor who cares
so much for the Church.' On the same day he asked
1 Egerton Papers, Add. MS., 1. 8, f. 74.
2 ' Esenzioni,' 26, 28.
107
He replied in the kindest terms, and repeated his
injunctions to Madonna Luigia to see that she was
treated liberally and left the house satisfied/
In spite of Castiglione's exertions, the Marquis's
affairs seemed as far as ever from a settlement, and
Federico Gonzaga began to despair of obtaining the
post which the Pope had offered him eight months
before. His joy and surprise were the greater when,
on April 1, he received a secret dispatch from the
Count, containing the news of his appointment.
' I cannot tell you,' he wrote in reply, ' how grate-
fully I received your letter, which has revived me
from death and made me the happiest man in the
world, although I hide my joy, in order to keep the
thing secret and be safe on this account. Pray assure
His Holiness that no one has heard a word of this
saving Madonna Illustrissima and the Castellan. Kiss
the Pope's feet for meA
The Pope's sudden resolution was no doubt due
to the news which he received from his agents at
Worms, and marked his final determination to make
common cause with the Emperor against the French.
Charles had openly declared himself on the side of
the Church, and an edict condemning Luther was
eventually promulgated by the Diet. On May 16
a messenger arrived at Mantua, bringing the Papal
brief confirming the appointment, and Federico sent
a letter of effusive thanks to Castiglione.
'Thank God,' said the Pope to Don Juan, 'who
in these evil times has sent me an Emperor who cares
so much for the Church.' On the same day he asked
1 Egerton Papers, Add. MS., 1. 8, f. 74.
2 ' Esenzioni,' 26, 28.