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Then said Castruccio to him: "A ducat is much less to me." Having

about him a flatterer on whom he had spat to show that he scorned

him, the flatterer said to him: "Fisherman are willing to let the

waters of the sea saturate them in order that they may take a few

little fishes, and I allow myself to be wetted by spittle that I

may catch a whale"; and this was not only heard by Castruccio

with patience but rewarded.