100 \ HISTORY OF THE BORGIAS
the Cardinal-Archdeacon on the twenty-sixth of August
was a scene of unlimited magnificence, attended by the
Orators of the Powers who hailed the Pope with the most
laudatory congratulations. Canon Angelo Ambrogini (detto
Poliziano), who spoke for Siena, said:—
"Prsestans animi magnitude quae mortales crederes omnes ante-
"cellere—Magna quaedam de te, rara, ardua, singularia, incredibilia,
"inaudita, pollicentur.1
The Orator of Lucca said :—
"Quid iste tuns divinus, et maiestate plenus, aspectus?
The Orator of Genoa said :—
"Adeo irtutum gloria et disciplinarum laude, et vitae sanctimonia
"decoraris, et adeo singularum ac omnium rerum ornamento dotaris,
"quae talem summam ac venerandam dignitatem praebeant ut valde
"ab omnibus ambigendum sit, tu ne magis pontificatui, an ilia tibi
"sacratissima et gloriosissima Papatus dignitas offerenda fuerit.
The Venetian Senate rejoiced:—
"propter divinas virtutes ac does quibus Ipsum insignitum et or-
"natum conspiciebamus, videbatur a Divina Providentia talem
"Pastorem gregi, dominio et sacrosancto Romanae Ecclesiae Vica-
"rium Suum fuisse delectum et praeordinatum.
Manf redi, the Ferrarese Orator at Florence, wrote to his
Duchess:—
"Dicesi che sara plorioso pontifice!
Those words were re-echoed from Milan, from Naples,
even from far Germany. "They say that this will be a glo-
rious Pontiff!" All who were permitted to approach Him
were enchanted by His magnificent presence and His
honeyed tongue; every one praised His talents, His notable
mastery of affairs, His active benevolence and beneficence.
He was admired because His habits were of the simplest
kind, and His magnificence free from prodigal ostentation:
1For an English parallel of riotous superlatives, compare the
inscription on a picture of Elizabeth in the Hall of the Post-Refor-
mation Jesus College, Oxford.
''Diva Elizabetha Virgo Invictissima Semper Augusta Plus Quam
Caesarea Angliae Franciae et Hiberniae Potentissima Imperatrix
Fidei ^Christianae Fortissima Propugnatrix Literarum Omnium
Scientissima Fautrix Immenso Oceani Felicissima Triumphatrix
Collegii Jesu Oxon Fundatrix."