EXPEDITION OF CHARLES VIII. 287 at length Fonseca, though naturally a sedate person, chapter was so far transported with anger, that he ex- '- claimed, "The issue then must be left to God, — duct of the envoys. arms must decide it;" and, producing the original treaty, bearing the signatures of the two monarchs, he tore it in pieces before the eyes of Charles and his court. At the same time he commanded two Spanish knights who served in the French army to withdraw from it, under pain of incurring the penalties of treason. The French cavaliers were so much incensed by this audacious action, that they would have seized the enVoys, and, in all probability, ojEFered violence to their persons, but for Charles's interposition, who with more coolness caused them to be conducted from his presence, and sent back under a safe escort to Rome. Such are the circumstances reported by the French and Italian writers of this remarkable interview. They were not aware that the dramatic exhibition, as far as the ambassadors were concerned, was all previously concerted before their departure from Spain. ^ Charles pressed forward on his march without The king of in 11 Naples flies further delay. Alfonso the Second, losmg his con- 'osiciiy. ^ Oviedo, Quincuagenas, MS., equestris ordinis, et armis clarus, bat. 1, quinc. 3, dial. 43. — Zurita, destinatus est orator, qui eum mo- Hist. del Rey Hernando, lib. 1, neat, ne, priusquam de jure inter cap. 43. — Bernaldez, Reyes Ca- ipsum et Alfonsum regem Neapo- tolicos, MS., cap. 138. — Giovio, litanum decernatur, ulterius proce- Hist. sui Temporis, lib. 2, p. 46. — dat. Fert in mandatis Antonius Lanuza, HistoriaSjtom. i. lib. 1, Fonseca, ut Carolo capitulum id cap. 6. sonans ostendat, anteque ipsius This appears from a letter of oculos (si detrectaverit) pacti vete- Martyr's, dated three months be- ris chirographum laceret, atque in- fore the interview; in which he dicat inimicitias." Opus Epist., says, "Antonius Fonseca, vir epist. 144.
