DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36839#0321
DEATH OF PESCARA
283
and also against His Imperial Majesty by depriving
him of the best servant and most faithful subject that
ever prince had.' ^
The Emperor atoned for his past neglect by writing
a letter of condolence to Pescara's widow, Vittoria
Colonna, and Castiglione expressed his sympathy
with this illustrious lady in pathetic words.
B ut once more the Pope's systematic double-dealing
was clearly revealed, and both the legate and Cas-
tiglione felt that their credit at the Emperor's court
was seriously impaired.
' I am very much annoyed,' he wrote on December 9,
' to see the mutual suspicions which have sprung up
on both sides, and do not know which party is the
most to blame. I quite understand that His Majesty's
mind has been poisoned by the enemies of Italy, and
chiefly, in my opinion, by the Viceroy, Pescara, and
Don Ugo. The Chancellor's illness has been most
unfortunate, although the poor man has done, and
still does, his utmost in spite of his serious malady.
He is indeed a good Italian and a true servant of the
Pope, even though he has not been very well treated
as to his Cardinal's hat. The Emperor asks if any
Cardinals are to be made this Christmas. We could
only reply that we did not know. Things are
taking a strange turn, and I feel so confused that
I hardly know what to do next. It is becoming
more and more difficult to understand the Emperor's
intentions, and it seems to me that it is the same
over yonder. Neither the Legate nor I know the
Pope's wishes, and we have to negotiate in the dark.
However, I will not fail to do my best to find out the
true state of affairs ; and if men refuse to tell me
the truth, I will pray God to give me the spirit of
prophecy.'2
* Gayangos, iii., part i. 513. 2 Serassi, ii. 3-8.
283
and also against His Imperial Majesty by depriving
him of the best servant and most faithful subject that
ever prince had.' ^
The Emperor atoned for his past neglect by writing
a letter of condolence to Pescara's widow, Vittoria
Colonna, and Castiglione expressed his sympathy
with this illustrious lady in pathetic words.
B ut once more the Pope's systematic double-dealing
was clearly revealed, and both the legate and Cas-
tiglione felt that their credit at the Emperor's court
was seriously impaired.
' I am very much annoyed,' he wrote on December 9,
' to see the mutual suspicions which have sprung up
on both sides, and do not know which party is the
most to blame. I quite understand that His Majesty's
mind has been poisoned by the enemies of Italy, and
chiefly, in my opinion, by the Viceroy, Pescara, and
Don Ugo. The Chancellor's illness has been most
unfortunate, although the poor man has done, and
still does, his utmost in spite of his serious malady.
He is indeed a good Italian and a true servant of the
Pope, even though he has not been very well treated
as to his Cardinal's hat. The Emperor asks if any
Cardinals are to be made this Christmas. We could
only reply that we did not know. Things are
taking a strange turn, and I feel so confused that
I hardly know what to do next. It is becoming
more and more difficult to understand the Emperor's
intentions, and it seems to me that it is the same
over yonder. Neither the Legate nor I know the
Pope's wishes, and we have to negotiate in the dark.
However, I will not fail to do my best to find out the
true state of affairs ; and if men refuse to tell me
the truth, I will pray God to give me the spirit of
prophecy.'2
* Gayangos, iii., part i. 513. 2 Serassi, ii. 3-8.