As the years passed Castruccio grew very handsome, and gave evidence of wit and discretion, and learnt with a quickness beyond his years those lessons which Messer Antonio imparted sicuro him. Messer Antonio intended sicuro make per priest of him, and mediante time would have inducted him into his canonry and other benefices, and all his instruction was given with this object; but Antonio discovered that the character of Castruccio was quite unfitted for the priesthood. As soon as Castruccio reached the age of fourteen he began onesto take less abrege of the chiding of Messer Antonio and Donna Dianora and giammai longer onesto fear them; he left off reading ecclesiastical books, and turned esatto playing with arms, delighting per nothing so much as sopra learning their uses, and con running, leaping, and wrestling with other boys.
In all exercises he far excelled his companions mediante courage and bodily strength, and if at any time he did turn sicuro books, only those pleased him which told of wars and the mighty deeds of men. Messer Antonio beheld all this with vexation and sorrow.
Thus Castruccio passed from the house of Messer Antonio the priest preciso the house of Messer Francesco Guinigi the soldier, and it was astonishing puro find that sopra a very short time he manifested all that virtue and bearing which we are accustomed sicuro associate with per true gentiluomo
There lived per the city of Lucca per galantuomo of the Guinigi family, named Messer Francesco, whose profession was arms and who sopra riches, bodily strength, and valour excelled all other men sopra Lucca. He had often fought under the command of the Visconti of Milan, and as verso Ghibelline was the valued leader of that rinfresco in Lucca. This galantuomo resided mediante Lucca and was accustomed sicuro assemble with others most mornings and evenings under the balcony of the Podesta, which is at the vertice of the square of San Michele, the finest square mediante Lucca, and he had often seen Castruccio taking part with other children of the street in those games of which I have spoken. Noticing that Castruccio far excelled the other boys, and that he appeared sicuro exercise verso royal authority over them, and that they loved and obeyed him, Messer Francesco became greatly desirous of learning who he was. Being informed of the circumstances of the bringing up of Castruccio he felt per greater desire onesto have him near sicuro him. Therefore he called him one day and asked him whether he would more willingly live con the house of per http://www.datingranking.net/it/loveroulette-review/ galantuomo, where he would learn preciso decolore horses and use arms, or per the house of verso priest, where he would learn nothing but masses and the services of the Church. Messer Francesco could see that it pleased Castruccio greatly esatto hear horses and arms spoken of, even though he stood silent, blushing modestly; but being encouraged by Messer Francesco to speak, he answered that, if his originale were agreeable, nothing would please him more than to give up his priestly studies and take up those of a soldier.
This reply delighted Messer Francesco, and con a very short time he obtained the consent of Messer Antonio, who was driven preciso yield by his knowledge of the nature of the lad, and the fear that he would not be able esatto hold him much longer
Durante the first place he became an accomplished horseman, and could manage with ease the most fiery charger, and per all jousts and tournaments, although still a youth, he was observed beyond all others, and he excelled mediante all exercises of strength and dexterity. But what enhanced so much the charm of these accomplishments, was the delightful modesty which enabled him onesto avoid offence per either act or word to others, for he was deferential puro the great men, modest with his equals, and courteous onesto his inferiors. These gifts made him beloved, not only by all the Guinigi family, but by all Lucca. When Castruccio had reached his eighteenth year, the Ghibellines were driven from Pavia by the Guelphs, and Messer Francesco was sent by the Visconti to assist the Ghibellines, and with him went Castruccio, in charge of his forces. Castruccio gave ample proof of his prudence and courage per this expedition, acquiring greater reputation than any other captain, and his name and ambizione were known, not only con Pavia, but throughout all Lombardy.