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The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

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ACTIVITY OF THE POPE. 85<br />

characteristic <strong>of</strong> him. He himself used <strong>of</strong>ten to speak for an<br />

hour at a time, having a very good opinion <strong>of</strong> his own abihties,<br />

which would endure no difference <strong>of</strong> opinion.^<br />

As Pius IV. was inclined to corpulency, hs pttached great<br />

importance to regular and vigorous exercise, beginning and<br />

ending his day's work with a long walk. None <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Popes<br />

has been such a great walker as he was, and he was, moreover,<br />

no friend <strong>of</strong> stiff ceremonial, but was <strong>of</strong>ten to be met almost<br />

unattended in <strong>the</strong> streets <strong>of</strong> Rome, ei<strong>the</strong>r on foot or on horse-<br />

back. All remonstrances on <strong>the</strong> score <strong>of</strong> his dignity or his age<br />

he ignored, saying " exercise maintains good health and keeps<br />

away illness, and I do not wish to die in bed." If he was<br />

attacked by fever one day, <strong>the</strong> next would find him, contrary<br />

to <strong>the</strong> orders <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> doctors, again taking his usual walk.-<br />

Pius IV. enjoyed living in <strong>the</strong> palace <strong>of</strong> San Marco, or in <strong>the</strong><br />

magnificent apartments <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Castle <strong>of</strong> St. Angelo, especially<br />

during <strong>the</strong> first years <strong>of</strong> his reign. ^ In <strong>the</strong> July, and again<br />

in <strong>the</strong> August <strong>of</strong> 1560/ he visited <strong>the</strong> Palazzo Fieschi, in which<br />

he had resided as Cardinal, accompanied by Cardinals, am-<br />

bassadors and numerous nobles. He went up and down stairs,<br />

inspecting all <strong>the</strong> apartments, and at last ascending to <strong>the</strong><br />

tower <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> palace, and all <strong>the</strong> time conversing in <strong>the</strong> most<br />

lively manner with those who accompanied him, and showing<br />

such activity that everyone was amazed. When he was con-<br />

gratulated on his vigour, shortly after his recovery <strong>from</strong> an<br />

illness, he remarked " : NO ,<br />

no. We do not wish to die so<br />

soon." He was particularly pleased by a remark <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

1 See Massarelli in Merkle, II., 341. That <strong>the</strong> Pope constantly<br />

interrupted <strong>the</strong> ambassadors is clear <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> *report <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Obedientia envoys <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir first audience, dated Narni, October<br />

II, 1560 (State Library, Vienna). <strong>The</strong> dramatic *report <strong>of</strong><br />

Mula (see Appendix No. 3) <strong>of</strong> September 24, 1560 (Papal Secret<br />

Archives) is also characteristic <strong>of</strong> this trait <strong>of</strong> Pius IV.<br />

2 See GiROL. Soranzo, 72-3.<br />

^ Cf. BoNDONUs, 535 ; *Avviso di Roma <strong>of</strong> May 4, 1560 (Urb.<br />

1039, Vatican Library).<br />

^ See *Avviso di Roma <strong>of</strong> July 10, 1560 (Urb. 1039, p. 188,<br />

Vatican Library).

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