And indeed Don Mario, and the rest of the kindred, think of getting what they can every one for themselves; but the Pope takes no care, but for Don Agostino, whose purse he has resolv’d to fill as full as he can; and we may conjecture of the Popes tender affection for Don Agostino by three things which he hath done for him since his coming to Rome.
The first was, that the Nipotismo had no sooner taken possession of the Vatican, but it pretended to give Lawes, not only to Rome, but to the Pope himself, and that in the dispensation of his favours to: and thus it was.
Don Mario, the Popes elder brother, being the head of the Family, did pretend, that one being to marry to preserve the Family, it did belong to his Son Flavio, and the rather, because his inclination did lead him that way; but the Pope, who had a great affection for the memory of his brother Augusto, refused to condescend to Don Mario’s desire, but declared Flavio Cardinal Padrone, and resolved to marry Don Agostino, little troubling himself at his elder brothers grumbling.
From hence sprung some dissention, which from day to day encreases between the family of Don Agostino, and that of Don Mario, to the Popes great discontent, who to sweeten a little the bitterness of this Pill, gave Don Mario leave to call his Daughters, and their husbands to Rome; where he desir’d they should be respected as his Relations, and he accorded to Don Agostino, that his brother Sigismond might also be sent for, to whom he gave good Church Revenues. This seem’d to have pleased them all, and exteriourly they shewed content and satisfaction, but secretly, and in their hearts, they do like right Italians, that is, preserve the memory of their injuries, and a desire to be reveng’d. And to begin; The Cardinal Flavio little cares to get riches; and if he do get, he spends it most prodigally, being resolved to leave Don Agostino as little as he can.
This dissipation which the Cardinal makes of his revenue, cannot choose but displease Don Agostino, seeing that it is not so much the Cardinals inclinations, as a desire to offend him that causes this prodigality; whereupon he infers likewise, that that vast heap of treasure which Don Mario hath got together, will not be for him, but for his Daughters, who are married into others Families; and I believe in this he is not mistaken, for Don Mario’s affection to his Daughters is very great.
The Pope in the mean time can scarce show any kindness to any one of them; but it is presently taken ill by the others. Doth my Cozen, sayes Don Agostino, think it so inconsiderable a thing to be Cardinal Padrone, and mannage all State affairs, to have the disposal of all favours at Court, to treat with Embassadours, to have the keyes of the Popes Closet, to govern the Chancery and Secretary at his pleasure? What can he desire more then to be a second Pope!
But the Cardinal answers all this by saying, that the care of business, and the Title of Padrone are not things given him out of a design to honour him, for they are his perpetual torment, and keep him from rest in the day time, and sleep in the night. But doth my Cozen, sayes the Cardinal, think it little to have been made Prince of a Principality hereditary to his Family, to have married a lovely Princess, with the enjoyment of all pleasures, the applause of the Court, and the liberty of living as he pleases? are these things to be compared to the weight of a Cardinals employment, in whose death all dyes with him, and hath not the satisfaction to see himself re-produced in this world?
In these duels of competition is the present Nipotismo perpetually engaged; depriving themselves of the enjoyment of that happiness which their good fortune hath so liberally bestowed upon them. ’Tis true, that these complaints are made but to their neerest friends and confidents.
Don Agostino, to say true, is much more in the right, then the Cardinal, the Pope being much more oblig’d to advance him then any of them; for he is Son to that Augusto, brother of the Pope, who maintain’d the Pope at his expenses in the University, supplying him afterwards with good summes of mony from time to time, without which he had undoubtedly been stopt in his course, and never been able to arrive to that pitch of Grandeur he is now in: Therefore Don Mario is unjust, and Don Agostino very just in his complaints; for the kindness which the Pope receiv’d from his Father, can expect no less then a Noble retribution to the Son, whereas all that the Pope doth for Don Mario and his Son, ’tis out of pure favour, without any desert.
These jealousies, however they may be prejudicial to the Popes Family, yet are they very advantagious to the Church; for if they were all agreed, woe would be to Rome, and the Church: such would be sucked by them all, like so many Bees; but being divided, they stand in fear of one another, and dare not do unbeseeming actions: for while Don Mario would have all to himself, and leave nothing for his Nephew, and that on the other side, the Nephew would have all for himself, and deprive his Uncle and Cozen of their share, they hinder one another, and Rome and the Church fare the better for it.