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The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

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OPINIONS OF THE AMBASSADORS. 65<br />

Even those who judged merely in <strong>the</strong> light <strong>of</strong> worldly<br />

considerations paid tribute to <strong>the</strong> merits <strong>of</strong> Pius V. <strong>The</strong><br />

ambassadors, who were bound to look at everything <strong>from</strong> a<br />

prejudiced point <strong>of</strong> view, and always to keep before <strong>the</strong>ir eyes<br />

<strong>the</strong> frequently excessive demands <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir masters, mention<br />

as weaknesses in <strong>the</strong> Pope his readiness to believe bad tidings,<br />

his great scrupulosity, which <strong>the</strong>y attribute to his sensitive<br />

conscience, <strong>the</strong> obstinacy with which he clung to any idea<br />

which he had formed, and especially his tendency to distrust<br />

people.^ Requesens is right in saying that <strong>the</strong> bitter<br />

experience which Pius V. had had <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> selfishness <strong>of</strong><br />

certain Cardinals was <strong>the</strong> reason why he did not dare<br />

to trust more than a few people.- But above all <strong>the</strong><br />

ambassadors lament <strong>the</strong> Pope's lack <strong>of</strong> experience in pohtical<br />

matters.<br />

It is true that Pius V. had had as little to do with politics<br />

hi<strong>the</strong>rto as with <strong>the</strong> affairs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> court, and he was certainly<br />

at a disadvantage in both respects, and that not only <strong>from</strong><br />

his want <strong>of</strong> knowledge <strong>of</strong> men and <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world, but also<br />

*Cusano on February 2, in <strong>the</strong> same year. Arco's view was more<br />

correct; on Sept mber 7, 1566, he expressed <strong>the</strong> opinion that <strong>the</strong><br />

Pope would make fur<strong>the</strong>r mistakes " perch e e troppo fermo<br />

nelle sue opinioni et mostra di curare poco delli principi." State<br />

Archives, Vienna. On April 28, 1567, Vincenzo Matuliani wrote :<br />

*" La natura di questo principe e di non voler fare cosa a re-<br />

quisitione di persona che viva se non quello che viene dalla sua<br />

volonta governata con molta prudenza e retta da una mente<br />

santissima." State Archives, Bologna.<br />

^ See TiEPOLO, 175; cf. Soriano, 202. On May 16, 1566,<br />

Serristori complains :<br />

*" Non si fida di huomo del mondo et quello<br />

che e peggio fuori di queste cose della religione S.S*^^ non intende<br />

punto delle cose del mondo et manco di quelle della corte ; non<br />

si fida d'huomo che viva, non ha ministri che intendino,<br />

dair che le cose di qua vanno a mal camino." (State<br />

Archives, Florence, Medic. 3592).<br />

*" II papa non si fida<br />

d'alcuno " reports Khevenhiiller March 30, 1566, State Archives,<br />

Vienna.<br />

* Corresp. dipL, I., 161.<br />

VOL. XVII. 5

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