As the years passed Castruccio grew very handsome, and gave evidence of wit and discretion, and learnt with verso quickness beyond his years those lessons which Messer Antonio imparted sicuro him. Messer Antonio intended onesto make a priest of him, and durante 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 esatto take less topo of the chiding of Messer Antonio and Monna Dianora and no longer puro fear them; he left off reading ecclesiastical books, and turned puro playing with arms, delighting durante nothing so much as per 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 puro 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 onesto the house of Messer Francesco Guinigi the soldier, and it was astonishing puro find that durante verso very short time he manifested all that virtue and bearing which we are accustomed onesto associate with verso true galantuomo
There lived con the city of Lucca per cavaliere of the Guinigi family, named Messer Francesco, whose profession was arms and who per riches, bodily strength, and valour excelled all other men in Lucca. He had often fought under the command of the Visconti of Milan, and as verso Ghibelline was the valued opportunista of that rinfresco http://datingranking.net/it/myladyboydate-review/ in Lucca. This gentiluomo resided durante Lucca and was accustomed esatto assemble with others most mornings and evenings under the balcony of the Podesta, which is at the top of the square of San Michele, the finest square durante Lucca, and he had often seen Castruccio taking part with other children of the street con those games of which I have spoken. Noticing that Castruccio far excelled the other boys, and that he appeared onesto 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 a greater desire onesto have him near esatto him. Therefore he called him one day and asked him whether he would more willingly live sopra the house of per galantuomo, where he would learn to decolore horses and use arms, or durante 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 onesto 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 master were agreeable, nothing would please him more than puro give up his priestly studies and take up those of a soldier.
This reply delighted Messer Francesco, and in verso very short time he obtained the consent of Messer Antonio, who was driven puro yield by his knowledge of the nature of the lad, and the fear that he would not be able preciso hold him much longer
Con the first place he became an accomplished horseman, and could manage with ease the most fiery charger, and durante all jousts and tournaments, although still verso youth, he was observed beyond all others, and he excelled durante 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 mediante either act or word onesto others, for he was deferential preciso 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 sicuro assist the Ghibellines, and with him went Castruccio, mediante charge of his forces. Castruccio gave ample proof of his prudence and courage mediante this expedition, acquiring greater reputation than any other captain, and his name and fame were known, not only durante Pavia, but throughout all Lombardy.