TheVitelliandOrsinihavingreceivedorderstowaitfortheduke，andtohonourhiminperson，sentawaytheirmentoseveralcastlesdistantfromSinigaliaaboutsixmiles，sothatroomcouldbemadeforthemenoftheduke;andtheyleftinSinigaliaonlyOliverottoandhisband，whichconsistedofonethousandinfantryandonehundredandfiftyhorsemen，whowerequarteredinthesuburbmentionedabove。
Mattershavingbeenthusarranged，theDukeValentinoleftforSinigalia，andwhentheleadersofthecavalryreachedthebridgetheydidnotpassover，buthavingopenedit，oneportionwheeledtowardstheriverandtheothertowardsthecountry，andawaywasleftinthemiddlethroughwhichtheinfantrypassed，withoutstopping，intothetown。
Vitellozzo，Pagolo，andtheDukediGravinaonmules，accompaniedbyafewhorsemen，wenttowardstheduke;Vitellozo，unarmedandwearingacapelinedwithgreen，appearedverydejected，asifconsciousofhisapproachingdeath——acircumstancewhich，inviewoftheabilityofthemanandhisformerfortune，causedsomeamazement。AnditissaidthatwhenhepartedfromhismenbeforesettingoutforSinigaliatomeetthedukeheactedasifitwerehislastpartingfromthem。Herecommendedhishouseanditsfortunestohiscaptains，andadvisedhisnephewsthatitwasnotthefortuneoftheirhouse，butthevirtuesoftheirfathersthatshouldbekeptinmind。Thesethree，therefore，camebeforethedukeandsalutedhimrespectfully，andwerereceivedbyhimwithgoodwill;theywereatonceplacedbetweenthosewhowerecommissionedtolookafterthem。
ButthedukenoticingthatOliverotto，whohadremainedwithhisbandinSinigalia，wasmissing——forOliverottowaswaitinginthesquarebeforehisquartersneartheriver，keepinghismeninorderanddrillingthem——signalledwithhiseyetoDonMichelle，towhomthecareofOliverottohadbeencommitted，thatheshouldtakemeasuresthatOliverottoshouldnotescape。ThereforeDonMichelerodeoffandjoinedOliverotto，tellinghimthatitwasnotrighttokeephismenoutoftheirquarters，becausethesemightbetakenupbythemenoftheduke;andheadvisedhimtosendthematoncetotheirquartersandtocomehimselftomeettheduke。AndOliverotto，havingtakenthisadvice，camebeforetheduke，who，whenhesawhim，calledtohim;andOliverotto，havingmadehisobeisance，joinedtheothers。
SothewholepartyenteredSinigalia，dismountedattheduke’squarters，andwentwithhimintoasecretchamber，wherethedukemadethemprisoners;hethenmountedonhorseback，andissuedordersthatthemenofOliverottoandtheOrsinishouldbestrippedoftheirarms。
ThoseofOliverotto，beingathand，werequicklysettled，butthoseoftheOrsiniandVitelli，beingatadistance，andhavingapresentimentofthedestructionoftheirmasters，hadtimetopreparethemselves，andbearinginmindthevalouranddisciplineoftheOrsinianandVitellianhouses，theystoodtogetheragainstthehostileforcesofthecountryandsavedthemselves。
Buttheduke’ssoldiers，notbeingcontentwithhavingpillagedthemenofOliverotto，begantosackSinigalia，andifthedukehadnotrepressedthisoutragebykillingsomeofthemtheywouldhavecompletelysackedit。Nighthavingcomeandthetumultbeingsilenced，thedukepreparedtokillVitellozzoandOliverotto;heledthemintoaroomandcausedthemtobestrangled。Neitherofthemusedwordsinkeepingwiththeirpastlives：Vitellozzoprayedthathemightaskofthepopefullpardonforhissins;OliverottocringedandlaidtheblameforallinjuriesagainstthedukeonVitellozzo。PagoloandtheDukediGravinaOrsiniwerekeptaliveuntilthedukeheardfromRomethatthepopehadtakentheCardinalOrsino，theArchbishopofFlorence，andMesserJacopodaSantaCroce。Afterwhichnews，on18thJanuary1502，inthecastleofPieve，theyalsowerestrangledinthesameway。
THELIFEOF
CASTRUCCIOCASTRACANIOFLUCCA
WRITTENBYNICOLOMACHIAVELLI
AndsenttohisfriendsZANOBIBUONDELMONTI
AndLUIGIALAMANNI
CASTRUCCIOCASTRACANI
1284—1328
Itappears，dearestZanobiandLuigi，awonderfulthingtothosewhohaveconsideredthematter，thatallmen，orthelargernumberofthem，whohaveperformedgreatdeedsintheworld，andexcelledallothersintheirday，havehadtheirbirthandbeginninginbasenessandobscurity;orhavebeenaggrievedbyFortuneinsomeoutrageousway。Theyhaveeitherbeenexposedtothemercyofwildbeasts，ortheyhavehadsomeanaparentagethatinshametheyhavegiventhemselvesouttobesonsofJoveorofsomeotherdeity。Itwouldbewearisometorelatewhothesepersonsmayhavebeenbecausetheyarewellknowntoeverybody，and，assuchtaleswouldnotbeparticularlyedifyingtothosewhoreadthem，theyareomitted。IbelievethattheselowlybeginningsofgreatmenoccurbecauseFortuneisdesirousofshowingtotheworldthatsuchmenowemuchtoherandlittletowisdom，becauseshebeginstoshowherhandwhenwisdomcanreallytakenopartintheircareer：thusallsuccessmustbeattributedtoher。CastruccioCastracaniofLuccawasoneofthosemenwhodidgreatdeeds，ifheismeasuredbythetimesinwhichhelivedandthecityinwhichhewasborn;but，likemanyothers，hewasneitherfortunatenordistinguishedinhisbirth，asthecourseofthishistorywillshow。Itappearedtobedesirabletorecallhismemory，becauseIhavediscernedinhimsuchindicationsofvalourandfortuneasshouldmakehimagreatexemplartomen。IthinkalsothatIoughttocallyourattentiontohisactions，becauseyouofallmenIknowdelightmostinnobledeeds。
ThefamilyofCastracaniwasformerlynumberedamongthenoblefamiliesofLucca，butinthedaysofwhichIspeakithadsomewhatfalleninestate，assooftenhappensinthisworld。TothisfamilywasbornasonAntonio，whobecameapriestoftheorderofSanMicheleofLucca，andforthisreasonwashonouredwiththetitleofMesserAntonio。Hehadanonlysister，whohadbeenmarriedtoBuonaccorsoCenami，butBuonaccorsodyingshebecameawidow，andnotwishingtomarryagainwenttolivewithherbrother。MesserAntoniohadavineyardbehindthehousewhereheresided，andasitwasboundedonallsidesbygardens，anypersoncouldhaveaccesstoitwithoutdifficulty。Onemorning，shortlyaftersunrise，MadonnaDianora，asthesisterofMesserAntoniowascalled，hadoccasiontogointothevineyardasusualtogatherherbsforseasoningthedinner，andhearingaslightrustlingamongtheleavesofavinesheturnedhereyesinthatdirection，andheardsomethingresemblingthecryofaninfant。Whereuponshewenttowardsit，andsawthehandsandfaceofababywhowaslyingenvelopedintheleavesandwhoseemedtobecryingforitsmother。Partlywonderingandpartlyfearing，yetfullofcompassion，shelifteditupandcarriedittothehouse，whereshewasheditandclotheditwithcleanlinenasiscustomary，andshowedittoMesserAntoniowhenhereturnedhome。Whenheheardwhathadhappenedandsawthechildhewasnotlesssurprisedorcompassionatethanhissister。Theydiscussedbetweenthemselveswhatshouldbedone，andseeingthathewaspriestandthatshehadnochildren，theyfinallydeterminedtobringitup。Theyhadanurseforit，anditwasrearedandlovedasifitweretheirownchild。Theybaptizedit，andgaveitthenameofCastruccioaftertheirfather。AstheyearspassedCastrucciogrewveryhandsome，andgaveevidenceofwitanddiscretion，andlearntwithaquicknessbeyondhisyearsthoselessonswhichMesserAntonioimpartedtohim。MesserAntoniointendedtomakeapriestofhim，andintimewouldhaveinductedhimintohiscanonryandotherbenefices，andallhisinstructionwasgivenwiththisobject;butAntoniodiscoveredthatthecharacterofCastrucciowasquiteunfittedforthepriesthood。AssoonasCastruccioreachedtheageoffourteenhebegantotakelessnoticeofthechidingofMesserAntonioandMadonnaDianoraandnolongertofearthem;heleftoffreadingecclesiasticalbooks，andturnedtoplayingwitharms，delightinginnothingsomuchasinlearningtheiruses，andinrunning，leaping，andwrestlingwithotherboys。Inallexerciseshefarexcelledhiscompanionsincourageandbodilystrength，andifatanytimehedidturntobooks，onlythosepleasedhimwhichtoldofwarsandthemightydeedsofmen。MesserAntoniobeheldallthiswithvexationandsorrow。
TherelivedinthecityofLuccaagentlemanoftheGuinigifamily，namedMesserFrancesco，whoseprofessionwasarmsandwhoinriches，bodilystrength，andvalourexcelledallothermeninLucca。HehadoftenfoughtunderthecommandoftheViscontiofMilan，andasaGhibellinewasthevaluedleaderofthatpartyinLucca。ThisgentlemanresidedinLuccaandwasaccustomedtoassemblewithothersmostmorningsandeveningsunderthebalconyofthePodesta，whichisatthetopofthesquareofSanMichele，thefinestsquareinLucca，andhehadoftenseenCastrucciotakingpartwithotherchildrenofthestreetinthosegamesofwhichIhavespoken。NoticingthatCastrucciofarexcelledtheotherboys，andthatheappearedtoexercisearoyalauthorityoverthem，andthattheylovedandobeyedhim，MesserFrancescobecamegreatlydesirousoflearningwhohewas。
BeinginformedofthecircumstancesofthebringingupofCastrucciohefeltagreaterdesiretohavehimneartohim。Thereforehecalledhimonedayandaskedhimwhetherhewouldmorewillinglyliveinthehouseofagentleman，wherehewouldlearntoridehorsesandusearms，orinthehouseofapriest，wherehewouldlearnnothingbutmassesandtheservicesoftheChurch。MesserFrancescocouldseethatitpleasedCastrucciogreatlytohearhorsesandarmsspokenof，eventhoughhestoodsilent，blushingmodestly;butbeingencouragedbyMesserFrancescotospeak，heansweredthat，ifhismasterwereagreeable，nothingwouldpleasehimmorethantogiveuphispriestlystudiesandtakeupthoseofasoldier。ThisreplydelightedMesserFrancesco，andinaveryshorttimeheobtainedtheconsentofMesserAntonio，whowasdriventoyieldbyhisknowledgeofthenatureofthelad，andthefearthathewouldnotbeabletoholdhimmuchlonger。
ThusCastrucciopassedfromthehouseofMesserAntoniothepriesttothehouseofMesserFrancescoGuinigithesoldier，anditwasastonishingtofindthatinaveryshorttimehemanifestedallthatvirtueandbearingwhichweareaccustomedtoassociatewithatruegentleman。Inthefirstplacehebecameanaccomplishedhorseman，andcouldmanagewitheasethemostfierycharger，andinalljoustsandtournaments，althoughstillayouth，hewasobservedbeyondallothers，andheexcelledinallexercisesofstrengthanddexterity。
Butwhatenhancedsomuchthecharmoftheseaccomplishments，wasthedelightfulmodestywhichenabledhimtoavoidoffenceineitheractorwordtoothers，forhewasdeferentialtothegreatmen，modestwithhisequals，andcourteoustohisinferiors。Thesegiftsmadehimbeloved，notonlybyalltheGuinigifamily，butbyallLucca。WhenCastrucciohadreachedhiseighteenthyear，theGhibellinesweredrivenfromPaviabytheGuelphs，andMesserFrancescowassentbytheViscontitoassisttheGhibellines，andwithhimwentCastruccio，inchargeofhisforces。Castrucciogaveampleproofofhisprudenceandcourageinthisexpedition，acquiringgreaterreputationthananyothercaptain，andhisnameandfamewereknown，notonlyinPavia，butthroughoutallLombardy。
Castruccio，havingreturnedtoLuccainfarhigherestimationthatheleftit，didnotomittouseallthemeansinhispowertogainasmanyfriendsashecould，neglectingnoneofthoseartswhicharenecessaryforthatpurpose。AboutthistimeMesserFrancescodied，leavingasonthirteenyearsofagenamedPagolo，andhavingappointedCastrucciotobehisson’stutorandadministratorofhisestate。
BeforehediedFrancescocalledCastrucciotohim，andprayedhimtoshowPagolothatgoodwillwhichhe（Francesco）hadalwaysshowntoHIM，andtorendertothesonthegratitudewhichhehadnotbeenabletorepaytothefather。UponthedeathofFrancesco，CastrucciobecamethegovernorandtutorofPagolo，whichincreasedenormouslyhispowerandposition，andcreatedacertainamountofenvyagainsthiminLuccainplaceoftheformeruniversalgoodwill，formanymensuspectedhimofharbouringtyrannicalintentions。AmongthesetheleadingmanwasGiorgiodegliOpizi，theheadoftheGuelphparty。
ThismanhopedafterthedeathofMesserFrancescotobecomethechiefmaninLucca，butitseemedtohimthatCastruccio，withthegreatabilitieswhichhealreadyshowed，andholdingthepositionofgovernor，deprivedhimofhisopportunity;thereforehebegantosowthoseseedswhichshouldrobCastruccioofhiseminence。Castruccioatfirsttreatedthiswithscorn，butafterwardshegrewalarmed，thinkingthatMesserGiorgiomightbeabletobringhimintodisgracewiththedeputyofKingRubertoofNaplesandhavehimdrivenoutofLucca。
TheLordofPisaatthattimewasUguccioneoftheFaggiuolaofArezzo，whobeinginthefirstplaceelectedtheircaptainafterwardsbecametheirlord。ThereresidedinParissomeexiledGhibellinesfromLucca，withwhomCastruccioheldcommunicationswiththeobjectofeffectingtheirrestorationbythehelpofUguccione。CastruccioalsobroughtintohisplansfriendsfromLuccawhowouldnotenduretheauthorityoftheOpizi。Havingfixeduponaplantobefollowed，CastrucciocautiouslyfortifiedthetoweroftheOnesti，fillingitwithsuppliesandmunitionsofwar，inorderthatitmightstandasiegeforafewdaysincaseofneed。WhenthenightcamewhichhadbeenagreeduponwithUguccione，whohadoccupiedtheplainbetweenthemountainsandPisawithmanymen，thesignalwasgiven，andwithoutbeingobservedUguccioneapproachedthegateofSanPieroandsetfiretotheportcullis。Castruccioraisedagreatuproarwithinthecity，callingthepeopletoarmsandforcingopenthegatefromhisside。Uguccioneenteredwithhismen，pouredthroughthetown，andkilledMesserGiorgiowithallhisfamilyandmanyofhisfriendsandsupporters。Thegovernorwasdrivenout，andthegovernmentreformedaccordingtothewishesofUguccione，tothedetrimentofthecity，becauseitwasfoundthatmorethanonehundredfamilieswereexiledatthattime。Ofthosewhofled，partwenttoFlorenceandparttoPistoia，whichcitywastheheadquartersoftheGuelphparty，andforthisreasonitbecamemosthostiletoUguccioneandtheLucchese。
AsitnowappearedtotheFlorentinesandothersoftheGuelphpartythattheGhibellinesabsorbedtoomuchpowerinTuscany，theydeterminedtorestoretheexiledGuelphstoLucca。TheyassembledalargearmyintheValdiNievole，andseizedMontecatini;fromthencetheymarchedtoMontecarlo，inordertosecurethefreepassageintoLucca。UponthisUguccioneassembledhisPisanandLuccheseforces，andwithanumberofGermancavalrywhichhedrewoutofLombardy，hemovedagainstthequartersoftheFlorentines，whoupontheappearanceoftheenemywithdrewfromMontecarlo，andpostedthemselvesbetweenMontecatiniandPescia。UguccionenowtookupapositionneartoMontecarlo，andwithinabouttwomilesoftheenemy，andslightskirmishesbetweenthehorseofbothpartieswereofdailyoccurrence。
OwingtotheillnessofUguccione，thePisansandLucchesedelayedcomingtobattlewiththeenemy。Uguccione，findinghimselfgrowingworse，wenttoMontecarlotobecured，andleftthecommandofthearmyinthehandsofCastruccio。ThischangebroughtabouttheruinoftheGuelphs，who，thinkingthatthehostilearmyhavinglostitscaptainhadlostitshead，grewover—confident。Castruccioobservedthis，andallowedsomedaystopassinordertoencouragethisbelief;
healsoshowedsignsoffear，anddidnotallowanyofthemunitionsofthecamptobeused。Ontheotherside，theGuelphsgrewmoreinsolentthemoretheysawtheseevidencesoffear，andeverydaytheydrewoutintheorderofbattleinfrontofthearmyofCastruccio。
Presently，deemingthattheenemywassufficientlyemboldened，andhavingmasteredtheirtactics，hedecidedtojoinbattlewiththem。
Firsthespokeafewwordsofencouragementtohissoldiers，andpointedouttothemthecertaintyofvictoryiftheywouldbutobeyhiscommands。Castrucciohadnoticedhowtheenemyhadplacedallhisbesttroopsinthecentreofthelineofbattle，andhislessreliablemenonthewingsofthearmy;whereuponhedidexactlytheopposite，puttinghismostvaliantmenontheflanks，whilethoseonwhomhecouldnotsostronglyrelyhemovedtothecentre。Observingthisorderofbattle，hedrewoutofhislinesandquicklycameinsightofthehostilearmy，who，asusual，hadcomeintheirinsolencetodefyhim。Hethencommandedhiscentresquadronstomarchslowly，whilsthemovedrapidlyforwardthoseonthewings。Thus，whentheycameintocontactwiththeenemy，onlythewingsofthetwoarmiesbecameengaged，whilstthecenterbattalionsremainedoutofaction，forthesetwoportionsofthelineofbattlewereseparatedfromeachotherbyalongintervalandthusunabletoreacheachother。BythisexpedientthemorevaliantpartofCastruccio’smenwereopposedtotheweakerpartoftheenemy’stroops，andthemostefficientmenoftheenemyweredisengaged;andthustheFlorentineswereunabletofightwiththosewhowerearrayedoppositetothem，ortogiveanyassistancetotheirownflanks。So，withoutmuchdifficulty，Castruccioputtheenemytoflightonbothflanks，andthecentrebattalionstooktoflightwhentheyfoundthemselvesexposedtoattack，withouthavingachanceofdisplayingtheirvalour。Thedefeatwascomplete，andthelossinmenveryheavy，therebeingmorethantenthousandmenkilledwithmanyofficersandknightsoftheGuelphpartyinTuscany，andalsomanyprinceswhohadcometohelpthem，amongwhomwerePiero，thebrotherofKingRuberto，andCarlo，hisnephew，andFilippo，thelordofTaranto。OnthepartofCastrucciothelossdidnotamounttomorethanthreehundredmen，amongwhomwasFrancesco，thesonofUguccione，who，beingyoungandrash，waskilledinthefirstonset。
ThisvictorysogreatlyincreasedthereputationofCastrucciothatUguccioneconceivedsomejealousyandsuspicionofhim，becauseitappearedtoUguccionethatthisvictoryhadgivenhimnoincreaseofpower，butratherthandiminishedit。Beingofthismind，heonlywaitedforanopportunitytogiveeffecttoit。ThisoccurredonthedeathofPierAgnoloMicheli，amanofgreatreputeandabilitiesinLucca，themurdererofwhomfledtothehouseofCastruccioforrefuge。Onthesergeantsofthecaptaingoingtoarrestthemurderer，theyweredrivenoffbyCastruccio，andthemurdererescaped。ThisaffaircomingtotheknowledgeofUguccione，whowasthanatPisa，itappearedtohimaproperopportunitytopunishCastruccio。HethereforesentforhissonNeri，whowasthegovernorofLucca，andcommissionedhimtotakeCastruccioprisoneratabanquetandputhimtodeath。Castruccio，fearingnoevil，wenttothegovernorinafriendlyway，wasentertainedatsupper，andthenthrownintoprison。
ButNeri，fearingtoputhimtodeathlestthepeopleshouldbeincensed，kepthimalive，inordertohearfurtherfromhisfatherconcerninghisintentions。Ugucionnecursedthehesitationandcowardiceofhisson，andatoncesetoutfromPisatoLuccawithfourhundredhorsementofinishthebusinessinhisownway;buthehadnotyetreachedthebathswhenthePisansrebelledandputhisdeputytodeathandcreatedCountGaddodellaGherardescatheirlord。BeforeUguccionereachedLuccaheheardoftheoccurrencesatPisa，butitdidnotappearwisetohimtoturnback，lesttheLucchesewiththeexampleofPisabeforethemshouldclosetheirgatesagainsthim。ButtheLucchese，havingheardofwhathadhappenedatPisa，availedthemselvesofthisopportunitytodemandtheliberationofCastruccio，notwithstandingthatUguccionehadarrivedintheircity。Theyfirstbegantospeakofitinprivatecircles，afterwardsopenlyinthesquaresandstreets;thentheyraisedatumult，andwitharmsintheirhandswenttoUguccioneanddemandedthatCastruccioshouldbesetatliberty。Uguccione，fearingthatworsemighthappen，releasedhimfromprison。WhereuponCastrucciogatheredhisfriendsaroundhim，andwiththehelpofthepeopleattackedUguccione;who，findinghehadnoresourcebutinflight，rodeawaywithhisfriendstoLombardy，tothelordsofScale，wherehediedinpoverty。
ButCastrucciofrombeingaprisonerbecamealmostaprinceinLucca，andhecarriedhimselfsodiscreetlywithhisfriendsandthepeoplethattheyappointedhimcaptainoftheirarmyforoneyear。Havingobtainedthis，andwishingtogainrenowninwar，heplannedtherecoveryofthemanytownswhichhadrebelledafterthedepartureofUguccione，andwiththehelpofthePisans，withwhomhehadconcludedatreaty，hemarchedtoSerezzana。Tocapturethisplaceheconstructedafortagainstit，whichiscalledto—dayZerezzanello;inthecourseoftwomonthsCastrucciocapturedthetown。Withthereputationgainedatthatsiege，herapidlyseizedMassa，Carrara，andLavenza，andinashorttimehadoverrunthewholeofLunigiana。InordertoclosethepasswhichleadsfromLombardytoLunigiana，hebesiegedPontremoliandwresteditfromthehandsofMesserAnastagioPalavicini，whowasthelordofit。AfterthisvictoryhereturnedtoLucca，andwaswelcomedbythewholepeople。AndnowCastruccio，deemingitimprudentanylongertodefermakinghimselfaprince，gothimselfcreatedthelordofLuccabythehelpofPazzinodelPoggio，PuccinellodalPortico，FrancescoBoccansacchi，andCeccoGuinigi，allofwhomhehadcorrupted;andhewasafterwardssolemnlyanddeliberatelyelectedprincebythepeople。AtthistimeFrederickofBavaria，theKingoftheRomans，cameintoItalytoassumetheImperialcrown，andCastruccio，inorderthathemightmakefriendswithhim，methimattheheadoffivehundredhorsemen。CastrucciohadleftashisdeputyinLucca，PagoloGuinigi，whowasheldinhighestimation，becauseofthepeople’sloveforthememoryofhisfather。
CastrucciowasreceivedingreathonourbyFrederick，andmanyprivilegeswereconferreduponhim，andhewasappointedtheemperor’slieutenantinTuscany。AtthistimethePisanswereingreatfearofGaddodellaGherardesca，whomtheyhaddrivenoutofPisa，andtheyhadrecourseforassistancetoFrederick。FrederickcreatedCastrucciothelordofPisa，andthePisans，indreadoftheGuelphparty，andparticularlyoftheFlorentines，wereconstrainedtoaccepthimastheirlord。
Frederick，havingappointedagovernorinRometowatchhisItalianaffairs，returnedtoGermany。AlltheTuscanandLombardianGhibellines，whofollowedtheimperiallead，hadrecoursetoCastruccioforhelpandcounsel，andallpromisedhimthegovernorshipofhiscountry，ifenabledtorecoveritwithhisassistance。AmongtheseexileswereMatteoGuidi，NardoScolari，LapoUberti，GerozzoNardi，andPieroBuonaccorsi，allexiledFlorentinesandGhibellines。
CastrucciohadthesecretintentionofbecomingthemasterofallTuscanybytheaidofthesemenandofhisownforces;andinordertogaingreaterweightinaffairs，heenteredintoaleaguewithMesserMatteoVisconti，thePrinceofMilan，andorganizedforhimtheforcesofhiscityandthecountrydistricts。AsLuccahadfivegates，hedividedhisowncountrydistrictsintofiveparts，whichhesuppliedwitharms，andenrolledthemenundercaptainsandensigns，sothathecouldquicklybringintothefieldtwentythousandsoldiers，withoutthosewhomhecouldsummontohisassistancefromPisa。Whilehesurroundedhimselfwiththeseforcesandallies，ithappenedatMesserMatteoViscontiwasattackedbytheGuelphsofPiacenza，whohaddrivenouttheGhibellineswiththeassistanceofaFlorentinearmyandtheKingRuberto。MesserMatteocalleduponCastrucciotoinvadetheFlorentinesintheirownterritories，sothat，beingattackedathome，theyshouldbecompelledtodrawtheirarmyoutofLombardyinordertodefendthemselves。CastruccioinvadedtheValdarno，andseizedFucecchioandSanMiniato，inflictingimmensedamageuponthecountry。WhereupontheFlorentinesrecalledtheirarmy，whichhadscarcelyreachedTuscany，whenCastrucciowasforcedbyothernecessitiestoreturntoLucca。
ThereresidedinthecityofLuccathePoggiofamily，whoweresopowerfulthattheycouldnotonlyelevateCastruccio，butevenadvancehimtothedignityofprince;anditappearingtothemtheyhadnotreceivedsuchrewardsfortheirservicesastheydeserved，theyincitedotherfamiliestorebelandtodriveCastrucciooutofLucca。
Theyfoundtheiropportunityonemorning，andarmingthemselves，theysetuponthelieutenantwhomCastrucciohadlefttomaintainorderandkilledhim。Theyendeavouredtoraisethepeopleinrevolt，butStefanodiPoggio，apeaceableoldmanwhohadtakennohandintherebellion，intervenedandcompelledthembyhisauthoritytolaydowntheirarms;andheofferedtobetheirmediatorwithCastrucciotoobtainfromhimwhattheydesired。Thereforetheylaiddowntheirarmswithnogreaterintelligencethantheyhadtakenthemup。Castruccio，havingheardthenewsofwhathadhappenedatLucca，atonceputPagoloGuinigiincommandofthearmy，andwithatroopofcavalrysetoutforhome。Contrarytohisexpectations，hefoundtherebellionatanend，yethepostedhismeninthemostadvantageousplacesthroughoutthecity。AsitappearedtoStefanothatCastrucciooughttobeverymuchobligedtohim，hesoughthimout，andwithoutsayinganythingonhisownbehalf，forhedidnotrecognizeanyneedfordoingso，hebeggedCastrucciotopardontheothermembersofhisfamilybyreasonoftheiryouth，theirformerfriendships，andtheobligationswhichCastrucciowasundertotheirhouse。TothisCastrucciograciouslyresponded，andbeggedStefanotoreassurehimself，declaringthatitgavehimmorepleasuretofindthetumultatanendthanithadevercausedhimanxietytohearofitsinception。HeencouragedStefanotobringhisfamilytohim，sayingthathethankedGodforhavinggivenhimtheopportunityofshowinghisclemencyandliberality。UponthewordofStefanoandCastrucciotheysurrendered，andwithStefanowereimmediatelythrownintoprisonandputtodeath。MeanwhiletheFlorentineshadrecoveredSanMiniato，whereuponitseemedadvisabletoCastrucciotomakepeace，asitdidnotappeartohimthathewassufficientlysecureatLuccatoleavehim。HeapproachedtheFlorentineswiththeproposalofatruce，whichtheyreadilyentertained，fortheywerewearyofthewar，anddesirousofgettingridoftheexpensesofit。Atreatywasconcludedwiththemfortwoyears，bywhichbothpartiesagreedtokeeptheconqueststheyhadmade。Castrucciothusreleasedfromthistrouble，turnedhisattentiontoaffairsinLucca，andinorderthatheshouldnotagainbesubjecttotheperilsfromwhichhehadjustescaped，he，undervariouspretencesandreasons，firstwipedoutallthosewhobytheirambitionmightaspiretotheprincipality;notsparingoneofthem，butdeprivingthemofcountryandproperty，andthosewhomhehadinhishandsoflifealso，statingthathehadfoundbyexperiencethatnoneofthemweretobetrusted。ThenforhisfurthersecurityheraisedafortressinLuccawiththestonesofthetowersofthosewhomhehadkilledorhuntedoutofthestate。
WhilstCastrucciomadepeacewiththeFlorentines，andstrengthenedhispositioninLucca，heneglectednoopportunity，shortofopenwar，ofincreasinghisimportanceelsewhere。ItappearedtohimthatifhecouldgetpossessionofPistoia，hewouldhaveonefootinFlorence，whichwashisgreatdesire。He，therefore，invariouswaysmadefriendswiththemountaineers，andworkedmatterssoinPistoiathatbothpartiesconfidedtheirsecretstohim。Pistoiawasdivided，asitalwayshadbeen，intotheBianchiandNeriparties;theheadoftheBianchiwasBastianodiPossente，andoftheNeri，JacopodaGia。EachofthesemenheldsecretcommunicationswithCastruccio，andeachdesiredtodrivetheotheroutofthecity;and，aftermanythreatenings，theycametoblows。JacopofortifiedhimselfattheFlorentinegate，BastianoatthatoftheLucchesesideofthecity;
bothtrustedmoreinCastrucciothanintheFlorentines，becausetheybelievedthatCastrucciowasfarmorereadyandwillingtofightthantheFlorentines，andtheybothsenttohimforassistance。Hegavepromisestoboth，sayingtoBastianothathewouldcomeinperson，andtoJacopothathewouldsendhispupil，PagoloGuinigi。AttheappointedtimehesentforwardPagolobywayofPisa，andwenthimselfdirecttoPistoia;atmidnightbothofthemmetoutsidethecity，andbothwereadmittedasfriends。Thusthetwoleadersentered，andatasignalgivenbyCastruccio，onekilledJacopodaGia，andtheotherBastianodiPossente，andbothtookprisonersorkilledthepartisansofeitherfaction。WithoutfurtheroppositionPistoiapassedintothehandsofCastruccio，who，havingforcedtheSignoriatoleavethepalace，compelledthepeopletoyieldobediencetohim，makingthemmanypromisesandremittingtheirolddebts。Thecountrysideflockedtothecitytoseethenewprince，andallwerefilledwithhopeandquicklysettleddown，influencedinagreatmeasurebyhisgreatvalour。
AboutthistimegreatdisturbancesaroseinRome，owingtothedearnessoflivingwhichwascausedbytheabsenceofthepontiffatAvignon。TheGermangovernor，Enrico，wasmuchblamedforwhathappened——murdersandtumultsfollowingeachotherdaily，withouthisbeingabletoputanendtothem。ThiscausedEnricomuchanxietylesttheRomansshouldcallinRuberto，theKingofNaples，whowoulddrivetheGermansoutofthecity，andbringbackthePope。HavingnonearerfriendtowhomhecouldapplyforhelpthanCastruccio，hesenttohim，begginghimnotonlytogivehimassistance，butalsotocomeinpersontoRome。Castruccioconsideredthatheoughtnottohesitatetorendertheemperorthisservice，becausehebelievedthathehimselfwouldnotbesafeifatanytimetheemperorceasedtoholdRome。
LeavingPagoloGuinigiincommandatLucca，CastrucciosetoutforRomewithsixhundredhorsemen，wherehewasreceivedbyEnricowiththegreatestdistinction。InashorttimethepresenceofCastruccioobtainedsuchrespectfortheemperorthat，withoutbloodshedorviolence，goodorderwasrestored，chieflybyreasonofCastrucciohavingsentbyseafromthecountryroundPisalargequantitiesofcorn，andthusremovedthesourceofthetrouble。WhenhehadchastisedsomeoftheRomanleaders，andadmonishedothers，voluntaryobediencewasrenderedtoEnrico。Castruccioreceivedmanyhonours，andwasmadeaRomansenator。Thisdignitywasassumedwiththegreatestpomp，Castrucciobeingclothedinabrocadedtoga，whichhadthefollowingwordsembroideredonitsfront：\"IamwhatGodwills。\"
Whilstonthebackwas：\"WhatGoddesiresshallbe。\"
DuringthistimetheFlorentines，whoweremuchenragedthatCastruccioshouldhaveseizedPistoiaduringthetruce，consideredhowtheycouldtemptthecitytorebel，todowhichtheythoughtwouldnotbedifficultinhisabsence。AmongtheexiledPistoiansinFlorencewereBaldoCecchiandJacopoBaldini，bothmenofleadingandreadytofacedanger。ThesemenkeptupcommunicationswiththeirfriendsinPistoia，andwiththeaidoftheFlorentinesenteredthecitybynight，andafterdrivingoutsomeofCastruccio’sofficialsandpartisans，andkillingothers，theyrestoredthecitytoitsfreedom。
ThenewsofthisgreatlyangeredCastruccio，andtakingleaveofEnrico，hepressedoningreathastetoPistoia。WhentheFlorentinesheardofhisreturn，knowingthathewouldlosenotime，theydecidedtointercepthimwiththeirforcesintheValdiNievole，underthebeliefthatbydoingsotheywouldcutoffhisroadtoPistoia。
AssemblingagreatarmyofthesupportersoftheGuelphcause，theFlorentinesenteredthePistoianterritories。Ontheotherhand，CastruccioreachedMontecarlowithhisarmy;andhavingheardwheretheFlorentines’lay，hedecidednottoencounteritintheplainsofPistoia，nortoawaititintheplainsofPescia，but，asfarashepossiblycould，toattackitboldlyinthePassofSerravalle。Hebelievedthatifhesucceededinthisdesign，victorywasassured，althoughhewasinformedthattheFlorentineshadthirtythousandmen，whilsthehadonlytwelvethousand。Althoughhehadeveryconfidenceinhisownabilitiesandthevalourofhistroops，yethehesitatedtoattackhisenemyintheopenlestheshouldbeoverwhelmedbynumbers。
SerravalleisacastlebetweenPesciaandPistoia，situatedonahillwhichblockstheValdiNievole，notintheexactpass，butaboutabowshotbeyond;thepassitselfisinplacesnarrowandsteep，whilstingeneralitascendsgently，butisstillnarrow，especiallyatthesummitwherethewatersdivide，sothattwentymensidebysidecouldholdit。ThelordofSerravallewasManfred，aGerman，who，beforeCastrucciobecamelordofPistoia，hadbeenallowedtoremaininpossessionofthecastle，itbeingcommontotheLuccheseandthePistoians，andunclaimedbyeither——neitherofthemwishingtodisplaceManfredaslongashekepthispromiseofneutrality，andcameunderobligationstonoone。Forthesereasons，andalsobecausethecastlewaswellfortified，hehadalwaysbeenabletomaintainhisposition。ItwasherethatCastrucciohaddeterminedtofalluponhisenemy，forherehisfewmenwouldhavetheadvantage，andtherewasnofearlest，seeingthelargemassesofthehostileforcebeforetheybecameengaged，theyshouldnotstand。AssoonasthistroublewithFlorencearose，Castrucciosawtheimmenseadvantagewhichpossessionofthiscastlewouldgivehim，andhavinganintimatefriendshipwitharesidentinthecastle，hemanagedmatterssowithhimthatfourhundredofhismenweretobeadmittedintothecastlethenightbeforetheattackontheFlorentines，andthecastellanputtodeath。
Castruccio，havingpreparedeverything，hadnowtoencouragetheFlorentinestopersistintheirdesiretocarrytheseatofwarawayfromPistoiaintotheValdiNievole，thereforehedidnotmovehisarmyfromMontecarlo。ThustheFlorentineshurriedonuntiltheyreachedtheirencampmentunderSerravalle，intendingtocrossthehillonthefollowingmorning。Inthemeantime，Castrucciohadseizedthecastleatnight，hadalsomovedhisarmyfromMontecarlo，andmarchingfromthenceatmidnightindeadsilence，hadreachedthefootofSerravalle：thusheandtheFlorentinescommencedtheascentofthehillatthesametimeinthemorning。Castrucciosentforwardhisinfantrybythemainroad，andatroopoffourhundredhorsemenbyapathonthelefttowardsthecastle。TheFlorentinessentforwardfourhundredcavalryaheadoftheirarmywhichwasfollowing，neverexpectingtofindCastruccioinpossessionofthehill，norweretheyawareofhishavingseizedthecastle。ThusithappenedthattheFlorentinehorsemenmountingthehillwerecompletelytakenbysurprisewhentheydiscoveredtheinfantryofCastruccio，andsocloseweretheyuponittheyhadscarcelytimetopulldowntheirvisors。Itwasacaseofunreadysoldiersbeingattackedbyready，andtheywereassailedwithsuchvigourthatwithdifficultytheycouldholdtheirown，althoughsomefewofthemgotthrough。WhenthenoiseofthefightingreachedtheFlorentinecampbelow，itwasfilledwithconfusion。Thecavalryandinfantrybecameinextricablymixed：thecaptainswereunabletogettheirmeneitherbackwardorforward，owingtothenarrownessofthepass，andamidallthistumultnooneknewwhatoughttobedoneorwhatcouldbedone。Inashorttimethecavalrywhowereengagedwiththeenemy’sinfantrywerescatteredorkilledwithouthavingmadeanyeffectivedefencebecauseoftheirunfortunateposition，althoughinsheerdesperationtheyhadofferedastoutresistance。Retreathadbeenimpossible，withthemountainsonbothflanks，whilstinfrontweretheirenemies，andinthereartheirfriends。WhenCastrucciosawthathismenwereunabletostrikeadecisiveblowattheenemyandputthemtoflight，hesentonethousandinfantrymenroundbythecastle，withorderstojointhefourhundredhorsemenhehadpreviouslydispatchedthere，andcommandedthewholeforcetofallupontheflankoftheenemy。TheseorderstheycarriedoutwithsuchfurythattheFlorentinescouldnotsustaintheattack，butgaveway，andweresooninfullretreat——conqueredmorebytheirunfortunatepositionthanbythevalouroftheirenemy。ThoseintherearturnedtowardsPistoia，andspreadthroughtheplains，eachmanseekingonlyhisownsafety。Thedefeatwascompleteandverysanguinary。Manycaptainsweretakenprisoners，amongwhomwereBandinideiRossi，FrancescoBrunelleschi，andGiovannidellaTosa，allFlorentinenoblemen，withmanyTuscansandNeapolitanswhofoughtontheFlorentineside，havingbeensentbyKingRubertotoassisttheGuelphs。ImmediatelythePistoiansheardofthisdefeattheydroveoutthefriendsoftheGuelphs，andsurrenderedtoCastruccio。HewasnotcontentwithoccupyingPratoandallthecastlesontheplainsonbothsidesoftheArno，butmarchedhisarmyintotheplainofPeretola，abouttwomilesfromFlorence。Hereheremainedmanydays，dividingthespoils，andcelebratinghisvictorywithfeastsandgames，holdinghorseraces，andfootracesformenandwomen。HealsostruckmedalsincommemorationofthedefeatoftheFlorentines。HeendeavouredtocorruptsomeofthecitizensofFlorence，whoweretoopenthecitygatesatnight;buttheconspiracywasdiscovered，andtheparticipatorsinittakenandbeheaded，amongwhomwereTommasoLupacciandLambertuccioFrescobaldi。ThisdefeatcausedtheFlorentinesgreatanxiety，anddespairingofpreservingtheirliberty，theysentenvoystoKingRubertoofNaples，offeringhimthedominionoftheircity;andhe，knowingofwhatimmenseimportancethemaintenanceoftheGuelphcausewastohim，acceptedit。HeagreedwiththeFlorentinestoreceivefromthemayearlytributeoftwohundredthousandflorins，andhesendhissonCarlotoFlorencewithfourthousandhorsemen。
ShortlyafterthistheFlorentineswererelievedinsomedegreeofthepressureofCastruccio’sarmy，owingtohisbeingcompelledtoleavehispositionsbeforeFlorenceandmarchonPisa，inordertosuppressaconspiracythathadbeenraisedagainsthimbyBenedettoLanfranchi，oneofthefirstmeninPisa，whocouldnotendurethathisfatherlandshouldbeunderthedominionoftheLucchese。Hehadformedthisconspiracy，intendingtoseizethecitadel，killthepartisansofCastruccio，anddriveoutthegarrison。As，however，inaconspiracypaucityofnumbersisessentialtosecrecy，soforitsexecutionafewarenotsufficient，andinseekingmoreadherentstohisconspiracyLanfranchiencounteredapersonwhorevealedthedesigntoCastruccio。
ThisbetrayalcannotbepassedbywithoutseverereproachtoBonifacioCerchiandGiovanniGuidi，twoFlorentineexileswhoweresufferingtheirbanishmentinPisa。ThereuponCastruccioseizedBenedettoandputhimtodeath，andbeheadedmanyothernoblecitizens，anddrovetheirfamiliesintoexile。ItnowappearedtoCastrucciothatbothPisaandPistoiawerethoroughlydisaffected;heemployedmuchthoughtandenergyuponsecuringhispositionthere，andthisgavetheFlorentinestheiropportunitytoreorganizetheirarmy，andtoawaitthecomingofCarlo，thesonoftheKingofNaples。WhenCarloarrivedtheydecidedtolosenomoretime，andassembledagreatarmyofmorethanthirtythousandinfantryandtenthousandcavalry——havingcalledtotheiraideveryGuelphtherewasinItaly。TheyconsultedwhethertheyshouldattackPistoiaorPisafirst，anddecidedthatitwouldbebettertomarchonthelatter——acourse，owingtotherecentconspiracy，morelikelytosucceed，andofmoreadvantagetothem，becausetheybelievedthatthesurrenderofPistoiawouldfollowtheacquisitionofPisa。
IntheearlypartofMay1328，theFlorentinesputinmotionthisarmyandquicklyoccupiedLastra，Signa，Montelupo，andEmpoli，passingfromthenceontoSanMiniato。WhenCastruccioheardoftheenormousarmywhichtheFlorentinesweresendingagainsthim，hewasinnodegreealarmed，believingthatthetimehadnowarrivedwhenFortunewoulddelivertheempireofTuscanyintohishands，forhehadnoreasontothinkthathisenemywouldmakeabetterfight，orhadbetterprospectsofsuccess，thanatPisaorSerravalle。Heassembledtwentythousandfootsoldiersandfourthousandhorsemen，andwiththisarmywenttoFucecchio，whilsthesentPagoloGuinigitoPisawithfivethousandinfantry。FucecchiohasastrongerpositionthananyothertowninthePisandistrict，owingtoitssituationbetweentheriversArnoandGuscianaanditsslightelevationabovethesurroundingplain。Moreover，theenemycouldnothinderitsbeingvictualledunlesstheydividedtheirforces，norcouldtheyapproachiteitherfromthedirectionofLuccaorPisa，norcouldtheygetthroughtoPisa，orattackCastruccio’sforcesexceptatadisadvantage。Inonecasetheywouldfindthemselvesplacedbetweenhistwoarmies，theoneunderhisowncommandandtheotherunderPagolo，andintheothercasetheywouldhavetocrosstheArnotogettoclosequarterswiththeenemy，anundertakingofgreathazard。InordertotempttheFlorentinestotakethislattercourse，CastrucciowithdrewhismenfromthebanksoftheriverandplacedthemunderthewallsofFucecchio，leavingawideexpanseoflandbetweenthemandtheriver。
TheFlorentines，havingoccupiedSanMiniato，heldacouncilofwartodecidewhethertheyshouldattackPisaorthearmyofCastruccio，and，havingweighedthedifficultiesofbothcourses，theydecideduponthelatter。TheriverArnowasatthattimelowenoughtobefordable，yetthewaterreachedtotheshouldersoftheinfantrymenandtothesaddlesofthehorsemen。Onthemorningof10June1328，theFlorentinescommencedthebattlebyorderingforwardanumberofcavalryandtenthousandinfantry。Castruccio，whoseplanofactionwasfixed，andwhowellknewwhattodo，atonceattackedtheFlorentineswithfivethousandinfantryandthreethousandhorsemen，notallowingthemtoissuefromtheriverbeforehechargedthem;healsosentonethousandlightinfantryuptheriverbank，andthesamenumberdowntheArno。TheinfantryoftheFlorentinesweresomuchimpededbytheirarmsandthewaterthattheywerenotabletomountthebanksoftheriver，whilstthecavalryhadmadethepassageoftherivermoredifficultfortheothers，byreasonofthefewwhohadcrossedhavingbrokenupthebedoftheriver，andthisbeingdeepwithmud，manyofthehorsesrolledoverwiththeirridersandmanyofthemhadstucksofastthattheycouldnotmove。WhentheFlorentinecaptainssawthedifficultiestheirmenweremeeting，theywithdrewthemandmovedhigheruptheriver，hopingtofindtheriverbedlesstreacherousandthebanksmoreadaptedforlanding。ThesemenweremetatthebankbytheforceswhichCastrucciohadalreadysentforward，who，beinglightarmedwithbucklersandjavelinsintheirhands，letflywithtremendousshoutsintothefacesandbodiesofthecavalry。
Thehorses，alarmedbythenoiseandthewounds，wouldnotmoveforward，andtrampledeachotheringreatconfusion。ThefightbetweenthemenofCastruccioandthoseoftheenemywhosucceededincrossingwassharpandterrible;bothsidesfoughtwiththeutmostdesperationandneitherwouldyield。ThesoldiersofCastrucciofoughttodrivetheothersbackintotheriver，whilsttheFlorentinesstrovetogetafootingonlandinordertomakeroomfortheotherspressingforward，whoiftheycouldbutgetoutofthewaterwouldbeabletofight，andinthisobstinateconflicttheywereurgedonbytheircaptains。
CastruccioshoutedtohismenthatthesewerethesameenemieswhomtheyhadbeforeconqueredatSerravalle，whilsttheFlorentinesreproachedeachotherthatthemanyshouldbeovercomebythefew。AtlengthCastruccio，seeinghowlongthebattlehadlasted，andthatbothhismenandtheenemywereutterlyexhausted，andthatbothsideshadmanykilledandwounded，pushedforwardanotherbodyofinfantrytotakeupapositionattherearofthosewhowerefighting;hethencommandedtheselattertoopentheirranksasiftheyintendedtoretreat，andonepartofthemtoturntotherightandanothertotheleft。ThisclearedaspaceofwhichtheFlorentinesatoncetookadvantage，andthusgainedpossessionofaportionofthebattlefield。
ButwhenthesetiredsoldiersfoundthemselvesatclosequarterswithCastruccio’sreservestheycouldnotstandagainstthemandatoncefellbackintotheriver。Thecavalryofeithersidehadnotasyetgainedanydecisiveadvantageovertheother，becauseCastruccio，knowinghisinferiorityinthisarm，hadcommandedhisleadersonlytostandonthedefensiveagainsttheattacksoftheiradversaries，ashehopedthatwhenhehadovercometheinfantryhewouldbeabletomakeshortworkofthecavalry。Thisfelloutashehadhoped，forwhenhesawtheFlorentinearmydrivenbackacrosstheriverheorderedtheremainderofhisinfantrytoattackthecavalryoftheenemy。Thistheydidwithlanceandjavelin，and，joinedbytheirowncavalry，fellupontheenemywiththegreatestfuryandsoonputhimtoflight。
TheFlorentinecaptains，havingseenthedifficultytheircavalryhadmetwithincrossingtheriver，hadattemptedtomaketheirinfantrycrosslowerdowntheriver，inordertoattacktheflanksofCastruccio’sarmy。Buthere，also，thebanksweresteepandalreadylinedbythemenofCastruccio，andthismovementwasquiteuseless。
ThustheFlorentinesweresocompletelydefeatedatallpointsthatscarcelyathirdofthemescaped，andCastrucciowasagaincoveredwithglory。Manycaptainsweretakenprisoners，andCarlo，thesonofKingRuberto，withMichelagnoloFalconiandTaddeodegliAlbizzi，theFlorentinecommissioners，fledtoEmpoli。Ifthespoilsweregreat，theslaughterwasinfinitelygreater，asmightbeexpectedinsuchabattle。OftheFlorentinestherefelltwentythousandtwohundredandthirty—onemen，whilstCastrucciolostonethousandfivehundredandseventymen。
ButFortunegrowingenviousofthegloryofCastrucciotookawayhislifejustatthetimewhensheshouldhavepreservedit，andthusruinedallthoseplanswhichforsolongatimehehadworkedtocarryintoeffect，andinthesuccessfulprosecutionofwhichnothingbutdeathcouldhavestoppedhim。Castrucciowasinthethickofthebattlethewholeoftheday;andwhentheendofitcame，althoughfatiguedandoverheated，hestoodatthegateofFucecchiotowelcomehismenontheirreturnfromvictoryandpersonallythankthem。Hewasalsoonthewatchforanyattemptoftheenemytoretrievethefortunesoftheday;hebeingoftheopinionthatitwasthedutyofagoodgeneraltobethefirstmaninthesaddleandthelastoutofit。
HereCastrucciostoodexposedtoawindwhichoftenrisesatmiddayonthebanksoftheArno，andwhichisoftenveryunhealthy;fromthishetookachill，ofwhichhethoughtnothing，ashewasaccustomedtosuchtroubles;butitwasthecauseofhisdeath。Onthefollowingnighthewasattackedwithhighfever，whichincreasedsorapidlythatthedoctorssawitmustprovefatal。Castruccio，therefore，calledPagoloGuinigitohim，andaddressedhimasfollows：
\"IfIcouldhavebelievedthatFortunewouldhavecutmeoffinthemidstofthecareerwhichwasleadingtothatglorywhichallmysuccessespromised，Ishouldhavelabouredless，andIshouldhaveleftthee，ifasmallerstate，atleastwithfewerenemiesandperils，becauseIshouldhavebeencontentwiththegovernorshipsofLuccaandPisa。IshouldneitherhavesubjugatedthePistoians，noroutragedtheFlorentineswithsomanyinjuries。ButIwouldhavemadeboththesepeoplesmyfriends，andIshouldhavelived，ifnolonger，atleastmorepeacefully，andhaveleftyouastatewithoutadoubtsmaller，butonemoresecureandestablishedonasurerfoundation。ButFortune，whoinsistsuponhavingthearbitramentofhumanaffairs，didnotendowmewithsufficientjudgmenttorecognizethisfromthefirst，northetimetosurmountit。Thouhastheard，formanyhavetoldthee，andIhaveneverconcealedit，howIenteredthehouseofthyfatherwhilstyetaboy——astrangertoallthoseambitionswhicheverygeneroussoulshouldfeel——andhowIwasbroughtupbyhim，andlovedasthoughIhadbeenbornofhisblood;howunderhisgovernanceIlearnedtobevaliantandcapableofavailingmyselfofallthatfortune，ofwhichthouhastbeenwitness。Whenthygoodfathercametodie，hecommittedtheeandallhispossessionstomycare，andIhavebroughttheeupwiththatlove，andincreasedthyestatewiththatcare，whichIwasboundtoshow。Andinorderthatthoushouldstnotonlypossesstheestatewhichthyfatherleft，butalsothatwhichmyfortuneandabilitieshavegained，Ihavenevermarried，sothattheloveofchildrenshouldneverdeflectmymindfromthatgratitudewhichIowedtothechildrenofthyfather。ThusIleavetheeavastestate，ofwhichIamwellcontent，butIamdeeplyconcerned，inasmuchasIleaveittheeunsettledandinsecure。ThouhastthecityofLuccaonthyhands，whichwillneverrestcontentedundertheygovernment。ThouhastalsoPisa，wherethemenareofnaturechangeableandunreliable，who，althoughtheymaybesometimesheldinsubjection，yettheywilleverdisdaintoserveunderaLucchese。
Pistoiaisalsodisloyaltothee，shebeingeatenupwithfactionsanddeeplyincensedagainstthyfamilybyreasonofthewrongsrecentlyinflicteduponthem。ThouhastforneighbourstheoffendedFlorentines，injuredbyusinathousandways，butnotutterlydestroyed，whowillhailthenewsofmydeathwithmoredelightthantheywouldtheacquisitionofallTuscany。IntheEmperorandintheprincesofMilanthoucanstplacenoreliance，fortheyarefardistant，slow，andtheirhelpisverylongincoming。Therefore，thouhastnohopeinanythingbutinthineownabilities，andinthememoryofmyvalour，andintheprestigewhichthislatestvictoryhasbroughtthee;which，asthouknowesthowtouseitwithprudence，willassisttheetocometotermswiththeFlorentines，who，astheyaresufferingunderthisgreatdefeat，shouldbeinclinedtolistentothee。AndwhereasIhavesoughttomakethemmyenemies，becauseI
believedthatwarwiththemwouldconducetomypowerandglory，thouhasteveryinducementtomakefriendsofthem，becausetheiralliancewillbringtheeadvantagesandsecurity。Itisofthegreatestimportantinthisworldthatamanshouldknowhimself，andthemeasureofhisownstrengthandmeans;andhewhoknowsthathehasnotageniusforfightingmustlearnhowtogovernbytheartsofpeace。Anditwillbewellfortheetoruletheyconductbymycounsel，andtolearninthiswaytoenjoywhatmylife—workanddangershavegained;andinthisthouwilteasilysucceedwhenthouhastlearnttobelievethatwhatIhavetoldtheeistrue。Andthouwiltbedoublyindebtedtome，inthatIhavelefttheethisrealmandhavetaughttheehowtokeepit。\"
AfterthistherecametoCastrucciothosecitizensofPisa，Pistoia，andLucca，whohadbeenfightingathisside，andwhilstrecommendingPagolotothem，andmakingthemswearobediencetohimashissuccessor，hedied。Heleftahappymemorytothosewhohadknownhim，andnoprinceofthosetimeswaseverlovedwithsuchdevotionashewas。Hisobsequieswerecelebratedwitheverysignofmourning，andhewasburiedinSanFrancescoatLucca。FortunewasnotsofriendlytoPagoloGuinigiasshehadbeentoCastruccio，forhehadnottheabilities。NotlongafterthedeathofCastruccio，PagololostPisa，andthenPistoia，andonlywithdifficultyheldontoLucca。ThislattercitycontinuedinthefamilyofGuinigiuntilthetimeofthegreat—grandsonofPagolo。
FromwhathasbeenrelatedhereitwillbeseenthatCastrucciowasamanofexceptionalabilities，notonlymeasuredbymenofhisowntime，butalsobythoseofanearlierdate。Instaturehewasabovetheordinaryheight，andperfectlyproportioned。Hewasofagraciouspresence，andhewelcomedmenwithsuchurbanitythatthosewhospokewithhimrarelylefthimdispleased。Hishairwasinclinedtobered，andheworeitcutshortabovetheears，and，whetheritrainedorsnowed，healwayswentwithoutahat。Hewasdelightfulamongfriends，butterribletohisenemies;justtohissubjects;readytoplayfalsewiththeunfaithful，andwillingtoovercomebyfraudthosewhomhedesiredtosubdue，becausehewaswonttosaythatitwasthevictorythatbroughttheglory，notthemethodsofachievingit。Noonewasbolderinfacingdanger，nonemoreprudentinextricatinghimself。Hewasaccustomedtosaythatmenoughttoattempteverythingandfearnothing;thatGodisaloverofstrongmen，becauseonealwaysseesthattheweakarechastisedbythestrong。Hewasalsowonderfullysharporbitingthoughcourteousinhisanswers;andashedidnotlookforanyindulgenceinthiswayofspeakingfromothers，sohewasnotangeredwithothersdidnotshowittohim。Ithasoftenhappenedthathehaslistenedquietlywhenothershavespokensharplytohim，asonthefollowingoccasions。Hehadcausedaducattobegivenforapartridge，andwastakentotaskfordoingsobyafriend，towhomCastrucciohadsaid：\"Youwouldnothavegivenmorethanapenny。\"
\"Thatistrue，\"answeredthefriend。ThensaidCastrucciotohim：\"A
ducatismuchlesstome。\"Havingabouthimaflattereronwhomhehadspattoshowthathescornedhim，theflatterersaidtohim：
\"Fishermanarewillingtoletthewatersoftheseasaturatetheminorderthattheymaketakeafewlittlefishes，andIallowmyselftobewettedbyspittlethatImaycatchawhale\";andthiswasnotonlyheardbyCastrucciowithpatiencebutrewarded。Whentoldbyapriestthatitwaswickedforhimtolivesosumptuously，Castrucciosaid：
\"Ifthatbeavicethanyoushouldnotfaresosplendidlyatthefeastsofoursaints。\"PassingthroughastreethesawayoungmanashecameoutofahouseofillfameblushatbeingseenbyCastruccio，andsaidtohim：\"Thoushouldstnotbeashamedwhenthoucomestout，butwhenthougoestintosuchplaces。\"Afriendgavehimaverycuriouslytiedknottoundoandwastold：\"Fool，doyouthinkthatI
wishtountieathingwhichgavesomuchtroubletofasten。\"
Castrucciosaidtoonewhoprofessedtobeaphilosopher：\"Youarelikethedogswhoalwaysrunafterthosewhowillgivethemthebesttoeat，\"andwasanswered：\"Weareratherlikethedoctorswhogotothehousesofthosewhohavethegreatestneedofthem。\"GoingbywaterfromPisatoLeghorn，Castrucciowasmuchdisturbedbyadangerousstormthatsprangup，andwasreproachedforcowardicebyoneofthosewithhim，whosaidthathedidnotfearanything。
Castruccioansweredthathedidnotwonderatthat，sinceeverymanvaluedhissoulforwhatiswasworth。Beingaskedbyonewhatheoughttodotogainestimation，hesaid：\"Whenthougoesttoabanquettakecarethatthoudostnotseatonepieceofwooduponanother。\"Toapersonwhowasboastingthathehadreadmanythings，Castrucciosaid：\"Heknowsbetterthantoboastofrememberingmanythings。\"
Someonebraggedthathecoulddrinkmuchwithoutbecomingintoxicated。
Castruccioreplied：\"Anoxdoesthesame。\"Castrucciowasacquaintedwithagirlwithwhomhehadintimaterelations，andbeingblamedbyafriendwhotoldhimthatitwasundignifiedforhimtobetakeninbyawoman，hesaid：\"Shehasnottakenmein，Ihavetakenher。\"Beingalsoblamedforeatingverydaintyfoods，heanswered：\"ThoudostnotspendasmuchasIdo？\"andbeingtoldthatitwastrue，hecontinued：
\"ThenthouartmoreavariciousthanIamgluttonous。\"BeinginvitedbyTaddeoBernardi，averyrichandsplendidcitizenofLuca，tosupper，hewenttothehouseandwasshownbyTaddeointoachamberhungwithsilkandpavedwithfinestonesrepresentingflowersandfoliageofthemostbeautifulcolouring。CastrucciogatheredsomesalivainhismouthandspatitoutuponTaddeo，andseeinghimmuchdisturbedbythis，saidtohim：\"Iknewnotwheretospitinordertooffendtheeless。\"BeingaskedhowCaesardiedhesaid：\"GodwillingIwilldieashedid。\"Beingonenightinthehouseofoneofhisgentlemenwheremanyladieswereassembled，hewasreprovedbyoneofhisfriendsfordancingandamusinghimselfwiththemmorethanwasusualinoneofhisstation，sohesaid：\"Hewhoisconsideredwisebydaywillnotbeconsideredafoolatnight。\"ApersoncametodemandafavourofCastruccio，andthinkinghewasnotlisteningtohispleathrewhimselfonhiskneestotheground，andbeingsharplyreprovedbyCastruccio，said：\"Thouartthereasonofmyactingthusforthouhastthyearsinthyfeet，\"whereuponheobtaineddoublethefavourhehadasked。Castrucciousedtosaythatthewaytohellwasaneasyone，seeingthatitwasinadownwarddirectionandyoutravelledblindfolded。Beingaskedafavourbyonewhousedmanysuperfluouswords，hesaidtohim：\"Whenyouhaveanotherrequesttomake，sendsomeoneelsetomakeit。\"Havingbeenweariedbyasimilarmanwithalongorationwhowoundupbysaying：\"PerhapsIhavefatiguedyoubyspeakingsolong，\"Castrucciosaid：\"Youhavenot，becauseIhavenotlistenedtoawordyousaid。\"Heusedtosayofonewhohadbeenabeautifulchildandwhoafterwardsbecameafineman，thathewasdangerous，becausehefirsttookthehusbandsfromthewivesandnowhetookthewivesfromtheirhusbands。Toanenviousmanwholaughed，hesaid：\"Doyoulaughbecauseyouaresuccessfulorbecauseanotherisunfortunate？\"WhilsthewasstillinthechargeofMesserFrancescoGuinigi，oneofhiscompanionssaidtohim：\"WhatshallIgiveyouifyouwillletmegiveyouablowonthenose？\"Castruccioanswered：\"A
helmet。\"HavingputtodeathacitizenofLuccawhohadbeeninstrumentalinraisinghimtopower，andbeingtoldthathehaddonewrongtokilloneofhisoldfriends，heansweredthatpeopledeceivedthemselves;hehadonlykilledanewenemy。Castrucciopraisedgreatlythosemenwhointendedtotakeawifeandthendidnotdoso，sayingthattheywerelikemenwhosaidtheywouldgotosea，andthenrefusedwhenthetimecame。Hesaidthatitalwaysstruckhimwithsurprisethatwhilstmeninbuyinganearthenorglassvasewouldsounditfirsttolearnifitweregood，yetinchoosingawifetheywerecontentwithonlylookingather。Hewasonceaskedinwhatmannerhewouldwishtobeburiedwhenhedied，andanswered：\"Withthefaceturneddownwards，forIknowwhenIamgonethiscountrywillbeturnedupsidedown。\"Onbeingaskedifithadeveroccurredtohimtobecomeafriarinordertosavehissoul，heansweredthatithadnot，becauseitappearedstrangetohimthatFraLazeroneshouldgotoParadiseandUguccionedellaFaggiuolatotheInferno。Hewasonceaskedwhenshouldamaneattopreservehishealth，andreplied：\"Ifthemanberichlethimeatwhenheishungry;ifhebepoor，thenwhenhecan。\"Seeingonofhisgentlemenmakeamemberofhisfamilylacehimup，hesaidtohim：\"IprayGodthatyouwilllethimfeedyoualso。\"SeeingthatsomeonehadwrittenuponhishouseinLatinthewords：\"MayGodpreservethishousefromthewicked，\"hesaid，\"Theownermustnevergoin。\"Passingthroughoneofthestreetshesawasmallhousewithaverylargedoor，andremarked：\"Thathousewillflythroughthedoor。\"HewashavingadiscussionwiththeambassadoroftheKingofNaplesconcerningthepropertyofsomebanishednobles，whenadisputearosebetweenthem，andtheambassadoraskedhimifhehadnofearoftheking。\"Isthiskingofyoursabadmanoragoodone？\"askedCastruccio，andwastoldthathewasagoodone，whereuponhesaid，\"WhyshouldyousuggestthatIshouldbeafraidofagoodman？\"
Icouldrecountmanyotherstoriesofhissayingsbothwittyandweighty，butIthinkthattheabovewillbesufficienttestimonytohishighqualities。Helivedforty—fouryears，andwasineverywayaprince。Andashewassurroundedbymanyevidencesofhisgoodfortune，sohealsodesiredtohavenearhimsomememorialsofhisbadfortune;thereforethemanacleswithwhichhewaschainedinprisonaretobeseentothisdayfixedupinthetowerofhisresidence，wheretheywereplacedbyhimtotestifyforevertohisdaysofadversity。AsinhislifehewasinferiorneithertoPhilipofMacedon，thefatherofAlexander，nortoScipioofRome，sohediedinthesameyearofhisageastheydid，andhewoulddoubtlesshaveexcelledbothofthemhadFortunedecreedthatheshouldbeborn，notinLucca，butinMacedoniaorRome。