When this secret council was broken up, the members of it repaired to the grand hall, where
supper awaited them. The Pope was so contented with his schemes, and the certainty of their accomplishment, that he committed, in his joy, the most shameful extravagances, and by his example incited his guests to actions similar to what we have read of in the pages of Petronius Arbiter, and other writers of the same character. He, nevertheless, did not entirely forget the cares of the state; for he suddenly asked those present how the revenues of the papal see might be increased, so as to support its numerous army during the approaching campaign. After various projects, Ferrara of Modena, Bishop of Patria, Alexander’s worthy minister, by whom he caused the benefices of the Church to be disposed of to the highest bidder, proposed that indulgences should be sold through Europe, under the pretence of an approaching war with the Turks; adding, like a true papal financier, “that the foolish idea which men entertained, of being able to wash away their sins by means of gold, was the surest source from which the income of a pope arose.”
Lucretia, who lay on the lap of her father, and played with Faustus’s yellow looks, incidentally remarked, with a smile,
“The present list of indulgences contains such insipid, antiquated, and absurd crimes, that it is impossible to turn it to much account. It was composed in stupid and barbarous times; and it is now highly necessary to make a new tariff of sin, for which Rome herself can furnish the most important articles.”
The company, hot with wine, and reeking from their abominations, eagerly caught up this sally of female wantonness; and the Pope commanded each one present to propose some particular sin, and to tax it; recommending them, above all, to choose those which were most in vogue, and which would consequently bring in the most wealth.
Borgia. Holy father, leave this to the cardinals and prelates; they are better versed in crime than any other people.
Ferrara of Modena sat down to fulfil the office of secretary.
A Cardinal. Absolution to each and every priest who commits fornication, let it be with whom it may; with permission to perform all the duties of the Church, and to receive and hold new benefices, provided he pay into the papal treasury nine gold ducats.
Pope. Write down nine gold ducats, Bishop; and then let us drink absolution to those priests who shall pay the sum.
Each guest filled his glass, and exclaimed in chorus, “Absolutio! dispensatio!”