Under this government Rome assumed an air of exemplary behavior which struck foreigners with mute astonishment.

Cardinals were compelled to preach in their basilicas.

The Pope himself, who was vain of his eloquence, preached.

Gravity of manners, external signs of piety, a composed and contrite face, ostentation of orthodoxy by frequent confession and attendance at the Mass, became fashionable; and the Court adopted for its motto the _Si non caste tamen caute_ of the Counter-Reformation.[28] Aretino, with his usual blackguardly pointedness of expression, has given a hint of what the new _regime_ implied in the following satiric lines:-- Carafla, ipocrita infingardo, Che tien per coscienza spirituale Quando si mette del pepe in sul cardo.
Paul IV.

brought the first period of the transition to an end.