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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 in a very short time he

manifested all that virtue and bearing which we are accustomed to

associate with a true gentleman. In 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 in 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 in either act or word to

others, for he was deferential to the great men, modest with his

equals, and courteous to his inferiors. These gifts made him

beloved, not only by all the Guinigi family, but by all Lucca.