This may serve concerning the difficulties which Princes Ministers meet with in their affairs with the _Popes_ and their Nephews, and how to avoid the same. Let us now proceed to the Enquiry, _Why the Families of_ Popes _continue not long in Grandeur_.
Some compare the _Nipotismo_ to a Tree which is guarded by all, whilst laden with fruit; but as soon as it happens to be deprived thereof, either by the hands of men, or progress of time, every body forsakes it, and nature her self leaves it barren, dry, and hateful, even to the eye of the beholders.
I do not altogether like this comparison, because Trees bear fruit for others; whereas the good Nephews of _Popes_ take all to themselves: and I should rather compare them to Pismires, which all day long go from place to place, seeking provisions wherewith to fill their Nests, and stop not a moment till they see them full.
There is no body but wonders to behold how the Families of _Popes_ daily decline, there being scarce two found that have continued one intire Age, or which remain in the same splendour wherein they were seen to shine, not only during the Reign of the _Popes_ their Kinsmen, but for some lustres after; and although some may seem at present to be found great, yet my Observation cannot therefore be decry’d as false, in regard of other reasons to be alledged concerning this matter.
There is no doubt, but many Families are found at this day in _Rome_ of good quality and esteem, who have had _Popes_ descended from them before _Sixtus_ the fourth; as the Family of _Conti_ hath had two _Popes_ in the _Vatican_, _Innocent_ the third, and _Gregory_ the ninth; The Family of _Fiesco_, reputed at present the chief Family of _Genoa_, hath likewise afforded two _Popes_, _Innocent_ the fourth, and _Adrian_ the fifth; And so that of _Orsini_, hath had _Nicholas_ the third; That of _Savelli_, _Honorius_ the fourth; _La Gaettana_, hath had _Boniface_ the eighth; _Picolomini_, _Pius_ the Second; _Colonna_, _Martin_ the fifth; not to mention others, that have had their _Popes_ too.
But this is the difference: ’tis one thing for _Popes_ to issue from a Noble Family, and another for Families to rise from the _Popes_. The foresaid Houses received not their Splendour, Nobility, and Wealth from the Papal Grandeur, but it may rather be said, that the Papal Grandeur received splendour from those Families.
