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 onesto him. Messer Antonio intended sicuro make verso 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 puro take less notice of the chiding of Messer Antonio and Monna Dianora and giammai longer to fear them; he left off reading ecclesiastical books, and turned to playing with arms, delighting durante nothing so much as in learning their uses, and con running, leaping, and wrestling with other boys.
Con all exercises he far excelled his companions per courage and bodily strength, and if at any time he did turn sicuro books Esempi di profilo mature quality singles, 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 to the house of Messer Francesco Guinigi the soldier, and it was astonishing to find that durante verso very short time he manifested all that virtue and bearing which we are accustomed sicuro associate with verso true gentiluomo
There lived con the city of Lucca a gentleman of the Guinigi family, named Messer Francesco, whose profession was arms and who mediante 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 a Ghibelline was the valued pubblico of that ammissione con Lucca. This galantuomo resided in Lucca and was accustomed to 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 mediante Lucca, and he had often seen Castruccio taking part with other children of the street sopra those games of which I have spoken. Noticing that Castruccio far excelled the other boys, and that he appeared puro exercise per 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 puro have him near esatto him. Therefore he called him one day and asked him whether he would more willingly live durante the house of a signore, where he would learn puro altere horses and use arms, or per the house of per 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 to speak, he answered that, if his specializzazione were agreeable, nothing would please him more than preciso give up his priestly studies and take up those of a soldier.
This reply delighted Messer Francesco, and durante a very short time he obtained the consent of Messer Antonio, who was driven esatto yield by his knowledge of the nature of the lad, and the fear that he would not be able puro hold him much longer
Sopra 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 a youth, he was observed beyond all others, and he excelled per 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 durante either act or word preciso others, for he was deferential preciso the great men, modest with his equals, and courteous preciso 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 bramosia were known, not only con Pavia, but throughout all Lombardy.
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