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In all exercises he far excelled his companions in courage and

bodily strength, and if at any time he did turn to books, only

those pleased him which told of wars and the mighty deeds of men.

Messer Antonio beheld all this with vexation and sorrow.

There lived in the city of Lucca a gentleman of the Guinigi

family, named Messer Francesco, whose profession was arms and who

in 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 a Ghibelline was the valued leader of that party in

Lucca. This gentleman 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 in 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 to exercise a 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 a

greater desire to have him near to him.