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

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l6<br />

HISTORY OF THE POPES.<br />

though he arrived too late for <strong>the</strong> conclave, since he only<br />

started on December 31st. ^ Requesens' lengthy recommen-<br />

dations were without result in o<strong>the</strong>r ways as well. Philip<br />

delayed in making up his mind, and when various letters <strong>of</strong><br />

December 5th, 1565, warned him that <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> Pius IV.<br />

was at hand, and that. he must not delay any longer, even<br />

<strong>the</strong>n he did not send any names to his ambassador. ^ As had<br />

been <strong>the</strong> case at <strong>the</strong> last conclave, so on this occasion he<br />

declared that his only wish was to see a Pope elected who<br />

was filled with zeal for <strong>the</strong> honour <strong>of</strong> God, and who would think<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> general good <strong>of</strong> Christendom, <strong>the</strong> ending <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> religious<br />

differences, <strong>the</strong> reform <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church, and <strong>the</strong> preservation<br />

<strong>of</strong> peace among Christian princes, especially in Italy. He<br />

did not wish to point out any Cardinal in particular as accept-<br />

able to himself, because, as experience had shown, such a course<br />

would only lead to discord in <strong>the</strong> Sacred College, while he<br />

himself would be satisfied with any Pope whose election would<br />

be for <strong>the</strong> good <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church. If Pacheco and Granvelle had<br />

already arrived in Rome <strong>the</strong>y could see to it that votes were<br />

not wasted. <strong>The</strong> ambassador ought to keep in <strong>close</strong> touch<br />

with Farnese and <strong>the</strong> Duke <strong>of</strong> Florence. Personal letters to<br />

Mark Sittich and Serbelloni were en<strong>close</strong>d. Vitelli had<br />

<strong>of</strong>fered his services to <strong>the</strong> king ; <strong>the</strong> Cardinal would have an<br />

opportunity <strong>of</strong> giving expression to his good will at <strong>the</strong> coming<br />

election. Ferrara and all <strong>the</strong> Frenchmen must be excluded.<br />

A private letter <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> king urged <strong>the</strong> ambassador to act<br />

very circumspectly with regard to Morone ; it would perhaps<br />

be wise to <strong>close</strong> <strong>the</strong> way to <strong>the</strong> Papacy in his case.^<br />

Philip's letter did not arrive till ten days after <strong>the</strong> beginning<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> conclave ; until <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> Spanish Cardinals might in<br />

any case have felt <strong>the</strong>mselves free to follow <strong>the</strong>ir own judgment<br />

1 Ibid.<br />

* Letter <strong>of</strong> December 21, 1565, Corresp. dipl., I., 55 seqq.<br />

Arco never<strong>the</strong>less claims to know that <strong>the</strong> ambassador had<br />

secret instructions to work on behalf <strong>of</strong> Ghislieri and Dolera,<br />

To Maximilian II. on December 22, 1565, in Wahrmund, 26^,<br />

* Corresp. dipL, I., 57 n.

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