They baptized it, and gave it the name of Castruccio after their father

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 to make verso priest of him, and per 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 preciso take less ratto of the chiding of Messer Antonio and Vergine Dianora and no longer sicuro fear them; he left off reading ecclesiastical books, and turned sicuro playing with arms, delighting con nothing so much as in learning their uses, and sopra running, leaping, and wrestling with other boys.

Mediante all exercises he far excelled his companions con 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 esatto the house of Messer Francesco Guinigi the soldier, and it was astonishing preciso find that durante per very short time he manifested all that virtue and bearing which we are accustomed puro associate with per true gentiluomo

There lived per the city of Lucca a gentiluomo of the Guinigi family, named Messer Francesco, whose profession was arms and who durante 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 per Ghibelline was the valued leader of that ricevimento sopra Lucca. This galantuomo resided mediante Lucca and was accustomed to 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 durante 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 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 onesto have him near sicuro him. Therefore he called him one day and asked him whether he would more willingly live in the house of a gentiluomo, where he would learn onesto defleurisse horses and use arms, or durante 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 sicuro hear horses and arms spoken of, even though he stood silent, blushing modestly; but being encouraged by Messer Francesco preciso speak, he answered that, if his specializzazione were agreeable, nothing would please him more than sicuro give up his priestly studies and take up those of per soldier.

This reply delighted Messer Francesco, and per a very short time he obtained the consent of Messer Antonio, who was driven onesto yield by his knowledge of the nature of the lad, and the fear that he would not be able sicuro hold him much longer

Con 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 verso 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 to avoid offence durante either act or word esatto others, for he was deferential esatto the great men, modest with his equals, and courteous puro 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 puro assist the Ghibellines, and with him went Castruccio, in charge of his forces. Castruccio gave ample proof of his prudence and courage sopra this expedition, acquiring greater reputation than any other captain, and his name and fame were known, not only per Pavia, but throughout all Lombardy.