It may be said, as I shall afterwards prove, that this was the only Family (rais’d by _Popes_) that continued so long together in greatness: and I believe the goodness of the Dukes, who succeeded one after another, contributed not a little to this continuance, which seems to surpass the ordinary measures. But if we will measure things with the right rule, we shall find that the Family of _Rovere_ liv’d in Grandeur but one Age; for there is no necessity to begin to reckon from the time of _Sixtus_, but from _Julius_ the second, who was of the same House; who seeing it much declin’d by reason of the great persecutions of _Alexander_ the Sixth, determined to succour it, though not by burdening the Church, which was in the year 1510. Neither is it needful to extend the reckoning till 1631. because for above twenty years before the death of the last Duke, the Ecclesiasticks foreseeing the fall of the Dutchy into their own hands, in regard of the great age of the Duke and his want of male Children, they resolv’d to take possession of it by degrees; and accordingly insulted over the poor old Duke, keeping him as if he had been their Subject: wherefore it may reasonably be said, that the House of _Rovere_, rais’d by _Sixtus_ continu’d not in grandeur so much as one full Age. The Family of _Cibo_ hath alwayes produc’d men eminent both for Learning and Valour; amongst whom there were two _Popes_, _Boniface_ the ninth, and _Innocent_ the eighth; the former in these dayes, when Nephews were not wont to enter into _Rome_ with the _Popes_, and the latter immediately after the death of the abovementioned _Sixtus_. But this Innocent the eighth would not oppress the Church to enrich his Kindred, whom he saw wealthy enough, and of good account amongst the chief Citizens of the Commonwealth of _Genoa_ his Countrey. He gave them indeed some Offices, but of so small value, that this _Popes_ Kindred did not think it worth while to leave _Genoa_ for _Rome_, and so, after the death of _Innocent_, they despis’d their Citizenships of _Rome_, and return’d to _Genoa_; where within a short time by the fault of Cardinal _Cibo_, they left the Offices given them by the _Pope_ their Kinsman, and were forc’d to betake themselves to other courses for a livelihood; well knowing that the Riches receiv’d from the Church stay not long in the hands of the receivers. And they did wisely, for had they remain’d at _Rome_, perhaps they would not be at this day in that grandeur, esteem, and wealth as they are in the City of _Genoa_. Of the Family of _Alexander_ the Sixth, that barbarous Pope, there would be much to say, did not the consideration of bravity oblige me to pass over many reasons of the destruction thereof. This _Alexander_ was descended from the noble Family of _Lenzoli_ in _Spain_, being Son of _Goffredo Lenzoli_; but containing both the name and surname of his family, he took that of _Boria_, which was afterwards turn’d to _Borgia_.