[*276] This again is overstated. The Pope wanted money to enable Cesare to subdue the Romagna. It is absurd of Dennistoun to ask below whether Cesare "directly participated" in these "unrighteous profits." Sanuto (III., 855) tells us that Duke Valentino visited the old cardinals and asked them to agree to the new nominations that he might be supplied with money for his work in Romagna.
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"Vendidit Alexander claves, altaria, Christum; Emerat ille prius, vendere jure potest." |
[*278] Sanuto, III., 878. Burchard, III., 77, who gives the sum obtained from each.
[*279] This is the most absurd attack on Sismondi, who was certainly prejudiced, if at all, against "tyrants." Dennistoun's whole view of Cesare is worthy only of his age. His conscience has blinded his intelligence. How are we to explain the fact that Leonardo and Machiavelli were eager to follow Cesare's fortunes and believed in him if we accept Dennistoun's estimate? Cesare was greatly in advance of his age, which he met with its own weapons.
[280] Yet one of his sonnets, bewailing the abasement of Italy, is so touching and so true, as well as so little known, that we shall introduce it in [XII. of our Appendices]. It in some degree anticipates the more powerful and popular declamatory rhymes of Filicaja on the same theme, which Byron has embodied in Childe Harold.[*F]
[*F] Without doubt Cesare was welcome in Romagna. Cf. Gregorovius, Lucrezia Borgia, and Guicciardini, Op. Ined., III., 307, who says the inhabitants loved his rule.
[281] Sanuto has preserved a story that his page having fitted him with a tight shoe, he with one kick threw him upon the fire, where he slew him with his hanger, and left his body to be calcined.[*G]
[*G] Dennistoun forgets to mention that Cesare descended on d'Orco suddenly and put him to death.
[282] Burchard tells us that Cesare ordered a masked figure, who had lampooned him at Rome, to be seized, his hand and tongue to be amputated, and publicly exposed during two days. Verily his tastes lay towards melodramatic murder!