To have been born in the earlier part of the sixteenth century, to have been a king, to have had Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands as a birthright, and not to have been inspired with a spark of that fire which glowed so intensely in those favored lands and in that golden age, had indeed been difficult.
The King's personal habits were regular.

His delicate health made it necessary for him to attend to his diet, although he was apt to exceed in sweetmeats and pastry.

He slept much, and took little exercise habitually, but he had recently been urged by the physicians to try the effect of the chase as a corrective to his sedentary habits.

He was most strict in religious observances, as regular at mass, sermons, and vespers as a monk; much more, it was thought by many good Catholics, than was becoming to his rank and age.

Besides several friars who preached regularly for his instruction, he had daily discussions with others on abstruse theological points.