The Pope indeed received him with all demonstrations of kindness, but the Barbarines using their wonted dissimulation, after they had given him some publike signes of respect and civility, did likewise afford him some occasion of complaint; of which the Duke being much offended, thought he could do no less, then signifie it to the Pope at his departure, and complain of the proceedings of the Cardinal Padrone towards a Prince of his quality; but he did not give him the Title of Padrone, but only of Cardinal Barbarino.
The Pope was displeased, to see the Duke thus angred, and went about to appease him, but in vain; for having said that he knew that the Cardinal Padrone had a very great esteem for his person, the Duke interrupted him, and said, Most Holy Father; for my part, I know no other Padrone than your holiness.
This answer was quick, and biting, having been made to the Pope himself, who thereby saw his Title of Padrone laughed at; and indeed the Duke had a great deal of reason to mortifie thus the Barbarines, who pretended to treat him more like their subject, then like a Prince.
But the Barbarines ambition stayed not in the Title of Cardinal Padrone; they took exceptions against the quality of Illustrissime, with which hitherto the Cardinals had been content for so many Ages, but pretending higher, strove to find out some terme that should not be inferiour to the Title of excellency, which Soveraign Princes in Italy, and other places, did then take.
This important point was often discussed, and canvassed by Urban, and the Barbarines, and more then four or five singular Titles came into their fancies; at last they pitched upon the word Eminency, which in effect he gave to the Cardinals, not so much for their sake, as for his Nephews. The Princes no sooner heard of it, but that they might be even with him, they took the Title of Highness, the Barbarines remaining much mortifyed at it.
But the best of it was, that at first Urban had no mind that any of the Cardinals should use the Title of Eminency, except those of his family; but afterwards foreseeing that the world would laugh at him, he made his decree general for all the Cardinals.
All this while it seemed as if the Barbarines had chained good fortune to their desires, all things succeeding according to their wishes; and indeed they were become so high in their commands, that they despised every body, and could hardly brook that any Crown in Europe should oppose, or not condescend to the satisfying of their insatiable inclinations.
Never Prince was more absolute in a conquest, then the Barbarines were in their administration of the Church and City of Rome; they laughed at any body; let those that would talke and prate; but nothing but derision and scorn was the share of those that went about to contradict them.
’Tis true, they had the good fortune to meet with little or no opposition, for in the whole consistory of the Cardinals, there were but five, who were not their Creatures, viz. Medici, Savelli, Carassa, Lauci, and Capponial, creatures of Paul the fifth, and these too being of a quiet spirit, and not undertaking, durst never oppose them stifly: The others who had been made Cardinals by them did nothing but subscribe to the Barbarines pleasure whatever it was, so they lorded it over the Church and State, nay, over all Christendome, as absolute Monarchs of the World.
This uncontrouled power having lasted three and twenty years, Urban their Uncle died, leaving the Church in disorder, the State in debt, and his family in possession of such vast riches, that even the Stewards that managed them, could hardly believe the truth of their accounts. Two hundred and seven and twenty Governments, Dignities, Offices, Abbies, and Benefices of the richest sort, were then in the family of the Barbarines; the Revenue of which was so great, that I believe the Barbarines never computed it, though they receiv’d it.