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gi family, named Messer Francesco, whose profession was
arms and who in riches, bodily strength, and valour ex-
celled all other men in Lucca. He had often fought under
the command of the Visconti of Milan, and as a Ghibelline
was the valued leader of that party in Lucca. This gentleman
resided in Lucca and was accustomed to assemble with oth-
ers most mornings and evenings under the balcony of the
Podesta, which is at the top of the square of San Michele,
the finest square in Lucca, and he had often seen Castruc-
cio 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 to exercise a
royal authority over them, and that they loved and obeyed
him, Messer Francesco became greatly desirous of learn-
ing who he was. Being informed of the circumstances of the
bringing up of Castruccio he felt a greater desire to have
him near to him. Therefore he called him one day and asked
him whether he would more willingly live in the house of
a gentleman, where he would learn to ride horses and use
arms, or in the house of a priest, where he would learn
nothing but masses and the services of the Church. Mess-
er Francesco could see that it pleased Castruccio greatly to
hear horses and arms spoken of, even though he stood si-
lent, blushing modestly; but being encouraged by Messer
Francesco to speak, he answered that, if his master were
agreeable, nothing would please him more than to give up
his priestly studies and take up those of a soldier. This re-
ply delighted Messer Francesco, and in a very short time he
obtained the consent of Messer Antonio, who was driven to

1 The Prince