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

88 HISTORY OF THE POPES.
were in no way as splendid as those of his predecessor, who had
thought it necessary to display the magnificent side of the
Papacy in this as in other ways.^ The dishes which appeared
at the table of Pius IV. were mostly plain and simple, and the
service was performed by simple grooms of the chamber.
The official banquets were also simple, the Pope wishing in
this to set an example for the Cardinals and prelates. The
Lombard could be recognised in his fondness for heavy dishes,
especially puddings and pastry, prepared as in his native city,
and of these Pius IV. partook more freely than was good for
his health. It was only in 1563, after a long illness, that he
gave up heavy dishes and wine, a thing which proved very
beneficial to his health. After dinner he enjoyed a long siesta
and then recited the remainder of his breviary, and received
one or more of the Cardinals and ambassadors. A long walk
in the Belvedere, which lasted till darkness fell in the wmter,
but in the summer was prolonged until supper time, brought
his day to a close.
^
Paul IV. had always mvited none but Cardinals and great
prelates to his table, but such dignitaries were only occasionally
to be seen at that of Pius IV. His simple and hearty manners
were reflected in the free and unrestrained intercourse of his
table. He was very fond of inviting intellectual and witty
men of letters, but he did not disdain to amuse himself with
the jokes of the court jesters.^ The Pope himself had a good
1 Cf. Vol. XIV. of this work, pp. 66, 68.
- Cf. GiROL. SoRANZo, 73, 77-8; GiAC. SoRANZO, 129. Con-
cerning the " pasto modesto " for the obedientia envoys, see
Alberi, II., 4, 15.
'See GiROL. Soranzo, 77. Concerning the court jester,
Moretto, see the *reports of Tonina of January 4 and 8, 1561.
In the first he says : " Principalmente N.S. il primo dell' anno,
con tutto che sentisse poco de podagra, diede la magnare la
mattina alii parenti, e perche il Moretto bufione disse e fecc molte
cose a quel desinare, che lo fecero smasceilare di risa, gli dono
cento scudi d'oro, at il s. duca d'Urbino gli ne dono cinquanta,
et il card^'' suo fratello 30 " (Gonzaga Archives, Mantua). The
banquet in honour of Cosimo I., during which Pius IV. joked