[Footnote 276: I may call particular attention to Filelfo's behaviour with regard to Pius II.--the free pension of 200 florins granted (Rosmini, vol. ii. p. 106), the menaces because it is not paid (_ib._ p. 115), the scurrilous epigrams on the Pope's death (_ib._ p. 321), the abusive letter addressed to Paul II. (_ib._ p. 136), the sentence of imprisonment for calumny issued against him and his son Mario (_ib._ p. 140), the final palinode in which he basely praises the Pope whom he had basely abused (_ib._ p. 146). The whole series of transactions is disgraceful.] [Footnote 277: Letter of Gregorio Lollio to the Cardinal of Pavia, reported by Rosmini (vol. ii. p. 147).] [Footnote 278: The whole poem ran to sixteen books. Therefore, according to Filelfo's art of poetry, the first eight contained 6,400 verses.] By fair means and by foul, Filelfo had managed to secure a splendid reputation throughout Italy. His journey to Naples in 1453 resembled a triumphal progress. Nicholas V. entertained him with distinction, read his infamous satires, presented him with a purse of 500 ducats, and offered him a yearly stipend of 600 if he would dedicate his talents to translation. Alfonso dubbed him knight, and placed the poet's laurel on his brow with his own royal hands. As he passed through their capitals, the princes received him like an equal. At Ferrara he enjoyed the hospitalities of Duke Borso, at Mantua the friendship of the Marchese Lodovico Gonzaga; the terrible Gismondo Pandolfo Malatesta welcomed him in Rimini, and the General Jacopo Piccinino in his camp at Fossombrone. Nor was this fame confined to Italy. On the fall of Constantinople he addressed a letter to the Sultan, beseeching him to release his mother-in-law and her two daughters from captivity; the humanist's eloquence obtained this favour from the Turkish conqueror, who refused to accept a ransom for the relatives of so illustrious an orator.[279] [Footnote 279: See Rosmini, vol. ii. p. 90. The Greek epistle which he sent is printed, _ib._ p. 305.] Until the death of Francesco Sforza Milan continued to be the city of Filelfo's choice. After that event he turned his thoughts to Rome. Pius II., Paul II., and Sixtus IV., in succession, had testified their regard for him, either by moderate presents, sufficient to excite his cupidity and check his slanderous temper, or by negotiations which came to nothing. At last, in 1474, he received from Rome the offer of a professorial chair, with a stipend of 600 florins, and the promise of the first vacant post in the Apostolic Chancery.