RETIREMENT OF GONSALVO. 281 distinguished above all others for " the majesty of chapter his presence, the polished elegance of his discourse, . L_. and manners in which dignity was blended with grace." '^ But none were so open in their admiration as compn ments to King Louis. At his request, Gonsalvo was admit- <^°nsaivo. ted to sup at the same table with the Aragonese sovereigns and himself. During the repast he sur- veyed his illustrious guest with the deepest inter- est, asking him various particulars respecting those memorable campaigns, which had proved so fatal to France. To all these the Great Captain responded with becoming gravity, says the chronicler ; and the French monarch testified his satisfaction, at parting, by taking a massive chain of exquisite workmanship from his own neck, and throwing it round Gonsalvo's. The historians of the event appear to be entirely overwhelmed with the magni- tude of the honor conferred on the Great Captain, by thus admitting him to the same table with three crowned heads ; and Guicciardini does not hesitate to pronounce it a more glorious epoch in his life than even that of his triumphal entry into the capi- tal of Naples. 2° 19 Guicciardini, Istoria, torn. iv. in sommo odio, e orrore il suo pp. 76, 77. — Giovio, Vitss Illust. nome, non si saziassero di contem- Virorum, p. 282. — Chronica del plarlo e onorarlo. ***** E accre- Gran Capiian, lib. 3, cap. 4. sceva I'ammirazione degli uomini "Ma non dava minore materia la maesta eccellente della presenza ai ragionamenti il Gran Capitano, sua, la magnificenza delle parole, i al quale non erano meno volti gli gesti, e la maniera piena di gravita ocelli degli uomini per la fama del conditadi grazia : ma sopra tutti il suo valore, e per la memoria di E.e di Francia," &c. Guicciardi- tante vittorie, la quale faceva, che ni, ubi supra. i Franzesi, ancora che vinti tante ^ Brantome, Vies des Hommes volte di lui, e che solevano avere Illustres, disc. 6. — Chronica del VOL. III. 36
