It is not the object of the present chapter to treat of the Popes as patrons; but it should not be forgotten that, having accepted a place among the despots of Italy, they strove to acquit their debt to art and learning in the spirit of contemporary potentates.
[2] Corio sums up his character thus: 'Fu costui uomo alla libidine molto proclivo; in grandissimo precio furono le gioie appresso di lui.

Del giorno faceva notte, e la notte ispediva quanto gli occorreva.' Marcus Attilius Alexius says: 'Paulus II.

ex concubina domum replevit, et quasi sterquilinium facta est sedes Barionis.' See Gregorovius, _Stadt Rom_, vol.vii.

p.
215, for the latter quotation.
Paul did not live as long as his comparative youth led people to anticipate.

He died of apoplexy in 1471, alone and suddenly, after supping on two huge watermelons, _duos praegrandes pepones_.