334 ITALIAN WARS. 11. Returns to Spain. PART taxing the pope with ingratitude, somewhat bluntly advised him to reform his life and conversation, which brought scandal on all Christendom. His Holiness testified no indignation at this unsavoury rebuke of the Great Captain, though, as the histo- rians with some simplicity inform us, he was greatly surprised to find the latter so fluent in discourse, and so well instructed in matters foreign to his profession.^ Gonsalvo experienced the most honorable recep- tion from King Frederic on his return to Naples. During his continuance there, he was lodged and sumptuously entertained in one of the royal fortress- es ; and the grateful monarch requited his services with the title of Duke of St. Angelo, and an estate, in Abruzzo, containing three thousand vassals. He had before pressed these honors on the victor, who declined accepting them till he had obtained the consent of his own sovereigns. Soon after, Gon- salvo, quitting Naples, revisited Sicily, where he adjusted certain differences which had arisen be- twixt the viceroy and the inhabitants respecting the revenues of the island. Then embarking with his whole force, he reached the shores of Spain in the month of August, 1498. His return to his na- tive land was greeted with a general enthusiasm far more grateful to his patriotic heart, than any hom- age or honors conferred by foreign princes. Isa- bella welcomed him with pride and satisfaction, as 5 Giovio, Vita Mngni Gonsnlvi, ci.irdini, Istoria, lib. 3, p. 175. — p. 222. — Zuriia, Hist, del Key Chronica del Gran Capitan, cap. Hernando, lib. 3, cap. 1. — Guic- 30.
