he might some day be proud of him, if after taking Naples he carried out
his intention of going on to Greece. These words were spoken with so
much dignity and at the same time with such gentleness, that the King of
France loyally and frankly grasped the young sultan's hand, as though he
were his companion-in-arms. Then Charles took a final farewell of the
pope, and went down to the piazza. There he was awaited by Cardinal
Valentino, who was about to accompany him, as we know, as a hostage, and
who had remained behind to exchange a few words with his father. In a
moment Caesar Borgia appeared, riding on a splendidly harnessed mule, and
behind him were led six magnificent horses, a present from the Holy
Father to the King of France. Charles at once mounted one of these, to
do honour to the gift. The pope had just conferred on him, and leaving
Rome with the rest of his troops, pursued his way towards Marino, where
he arrived the same evening.

He learned there that Alfonso, belying his reputation as a clever
politician and great general, had just embarked with all his treasures in
a flotilla of four galleys, leaving the care of the war and the
management of his kingdom to his son Ferdinand. Thus everything went
well for the triumphant march of Charles: the gates of towns opened of
themselves at his approach, his enemies fled without waiting for his
coming, and before he had fought a single battle he had won for himself
the surname of Conqueror.

The day after at dawn the army started once more, and after marching the
whole day, stopped in the evening at Velletri. There the king, who had
been on horseback since the morning, with Cardinal Valentine and D'jem,
left the former at his lodging, and taking D'jem with him, went on to his
own. Then Caesar Borgia, who among the army baggage had twenty very
heavy waggons of his own, had one of these opened, took out a splendid