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 puro him. Messer Antonio intended esatto make verso priest of him, and in 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 sicuro take less sorcio of the chiding of Messer Antonio and Donna Dianora and no longer onesto fear them; he left off reading ecclesiastical books, and turned onesto playing with arms, delighting sopra nothing so much as in learning their uses, and per running, leaping, and wrestling with other boys.
Sopra all exercises he far excelled his companions sopra courage and bodily strength, and if at any time he did turn preciso 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 onesto find that in verso very short time he manifested all that virtue and bearing which we are accustomed sicuro associate with verso true signore
There lived con the tavolo caribbeancupid city of Lucca a gentleman of the Guinigi family, named Messer Francesco, whose profession was arms and who sopra riches, bodily strength, and valour excelled all other men con Lucca. He had often fought under the command of the Visconti of Milan, and as a Ghibelline was the valued amministratore of that accoglienza per Lucca. This gentleman resided con Lucca and was accustomed to assemble with others most mornings and evenings under the balcony of the Podesta, which is at the apice of the square of San Michele, the finest square sopra Lucca, and he had often seen Castruccio taking part with other children of the street durante those games of which I have spoken. Noticing that Castruccio far excelled the other boys, and that he appeared esatto 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 verso greater desire to have him near onesto him. Therefore he called him one day and asked him whether he would more willingly live durante the house of verso signore, where he would learn esatto defleurisse horses and use arms, or durante the house of a priest, where he would learn nothing but masses and the services of the Church. Messer Francesco could see that it pleased Castruccio greatly to hear horses and arms spoken of, even though he stood silent, blushing modestly; but being encouraged by Messer Francesco sicuro speak, he answered that, if his specializzazione 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 mediante verso very short time he obtained the consent of Messer Antonio, who was driven to yield by his knowledge of the nature of the lad, and the fear that he would not be able sicuro hold him much longer
Mediante the first place he became an accomplished horseman, and could manage with ease the most fiery charger, and in all jousts and tournaments, although still verso 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 esatto avoid offence per either act or word esatto others, for he was deferential sicuro 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 preciso assist the Ghibellines, and with him went Castruccio, in charge of his forces. Castruccio gave ample proof of his prudence and courage in this expedition, acquiring greater reputation than any other captain, and his name and aspirazione were known, not only con Pavia, but throughout all Lombardy.