Il nipotismo di Roma, or, The History of the Popes Nephews / from the time of Sixtus IV. to the death of the last Pope, Alexander VII

Transcribed from the 1669 John Starkey edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
Note : This book is from 1669 and hence the spelling, grammar and punctuation are not those of modern English: instead they are as they appear in the book.—DP.
OR, THE HISTORY OF THE POPES NEPHEWS
From the time of Sixtus the IV. to the Death of the last Pope ALEXANDER the VII.
In two Parts.
Written Originally in Italian , in the year 1667. and Englished by W. A.
LONDON , Printed for John Starkey , at the Miter near Temple-Bar in Fleet-street , 1669.
Kind Reader,
I should have much to say to thee , and not a few Ceremonies to Complement thee withall , if two Considerations did not make me resolve to hold my peace , and abstain from that courtship , which would become a Preface . The first is , because I will not ( as the Proverb sayes ) reckon without mine Hoste, and fill thy ears with excuses , before I know whether thy intention be to hear them or no . Secondly, because I think it will not be amiss to forbear Ceremonies in the presence of so many , whose business it hath been to be most accomplish’d in performing of them . What danger would there be for once , to let a Reader judge of a Book , without all those troublesome informations from the Author : For in a word , either the Reader hath parts and learning , and then his own judgment needs no instruction from the Authors ; or he hath none , and is illiterate , and then the Author loses his time in excusing himself to one , whose abilities cannot reach his subject : But this our age being so far different from ancient times , wherein little notice was taken of the Author , though much of the thing written , it will be as just for him to inform his Reader , as for a Suppliant to inform his Judge , though never so learned , and to be recommended to him , though his case be never so just . A Friend of mine , calls the Advice to the Reader , the Sauce of the Book , because it is that part , which gives us a stomach to read the rest . I must confess , it is for his satisfaction that I give you mine ; I know not how excellent it may prove to thy Palate : but my intention , is not , at least , to put too much Salt in it ; and indeed , with what can I season it , or what Ingredients have I left to compound it withall ? If I praise my own work , I shall incur the censure of an interested Judge ; if I dispraise it , I shall do my self an injury . To tell thee that this Book comes from Rome is in vain , because the very Title of it discovers the place of its birth ; and to entreat thee to read it , would be just the way to stifle thy curiosity ; for now adayes , every body desires the reading of those Books which are prohibited ; and I am certain , that it were a good way , to incite the publick curiosity of the world for any Books , to intreat them that they would be pleased to let them alone , for that , without doubt , would encrease their desire of seeing it . I think I had best do as those Hunters , who for fear of raising the Partridge too soon , talk to one another so softly , and so low , that they scarce hear themselves speak . Therefore , Reader , take notice , this is that famous Nipotismo di Roma, so much desired and wished for by all the ingenious of Europe, before it was brought forth by the Author . I give thee warning to read it in private , and keep it to thy self ; for if the news of thy reading it come to the Inquisitors ears , without doubt thou runnest the hazard of an Excommunication ; for they have sworn , to indure no Books in Italy, but those that shall flatter the Court of Rome. It is indeed a good policy for them , and for those Church men , who having pretensions to the highest Ecclesiastical Honours , stand all day before the Nipotismo with their Caps in their hands . I know , that in Rome this History will produce the same effect that our Nails do upon a Sore , that is , the more they scratch it , the worse they make it : Yet the itching pleases every body , and the more we scratch , the more we have a mind to scratch still . Neither do I doubt , but that there will be some flatterers and false friends of the Nephews of the Popes, who will express their dislike of this Treatise ; but it will be only in appearance , and not from their hearts , which may be forgiven them , for seldome in Rome do the Tongue and the Heart correspond .