152 ITALIAN WARS. II. PART with a fever, brought on by the incessant fatigue and high mental excitement in which he had been kept for the last four months. The attack was severe, and the event for some time doubtful. Dur- ing this state of suspense the public mind was in the deepest agitation. The popular manners of Gonsalvo had won the hearts of the giddy people of Naples, who transferred their affections, indeed, as readily as their allegiance ; and prayers and vows for his restoration were offered up in all the churches and monasteries of the city. His excel- lent constitution at length got the better of his dis- ease. As soon as this favorable result was ascer- tained, the whole population, rushing to the other extreme, abandoned itself to a delirium of joy ; and, when he was sufficiently recovered to give them audience, men of all ranks thronged to Castel Nuovo to tender their congratulations, and obtain a sight of the hero, who now returned to their capital, for the third time, with the laurel of victory on his brow. Every tongue, says his enthusiastic biogra- pher, was eloquent in his praise ; some dwelling on his noble port, and the beauty of his countenance ; others on the elegance and amenity of his manners; and all dazzled by a spirit of munificence, which would have become royalty itself. '^ Tnbiicen- The tidc of paneiivric was swelled by more than one bard, who sought, though with indifferent suc- 18 Giovio, Vita Mapni Gonsalvi, cap. 1. — Abarca, Reyes de Ara- fol. 270, 271. — Quiiitana, Espa- min, torn. ii. fol. 350. — Hernaklcz, Holes Ctlebros, torn. i. p. 298. — Reyes Calolicos, MS., cap. lUO, Chr6nica del Gran Capitan, lib. 3, 191. Ihiisinsm.
