volunteer."
The manners of Scoto were courtly; and in his conversation with
the youth his keen judgement quickly discovered the qualifications
of Castruccio. They dined together; and afterwards, having equipped
him in a becoming dress, he presented him to the French king, from
whom he experienced a favourable reception. Castruccio did not fail
speedily to inform Alderigo of his situation, who immediately
remitted him a sum of money amply sufficient for his present
supply.
Castruccio had now exchanged the idle gaieties of the English
court for the active labours of a camp; and on the following day he
entered on his military duties. Scoto presented him with a suit of
armour, selecting one of the most costly that he possessed. There
was a small iron scull cap which fitted the head, and was worn
under the helmet. The casque itself was of highly polished iron
inlaid with gold in beautiful devices, and the mailed collar for
his neck was plated with the same precious metal. The breast-plate
was finely carved, and fastened over the shoulders to the back
plate, which was laboured with less delicacy. The greaves which
sheathed his legs, were beautifully inlaid, and shone with gold;
his sword was of the finest temper, and the scabbard, richly
adorned, hung at his side from an embroidered scarf; a shield and a
good lance completed his equipment. Arms of less costly manufacture
were chosen for his horse, which, selected from the stud of Scoto,
was strong, heavy and spirited.
The next day the camp was in motion. It were needless to detail
the events of this campaign: several battles were fought, and some
towns taken. The French who had hitherto been losers, regained
their ground; and in every action the troop of Scoto distinguished
itself, and among his troop Castruccio was pre--eminent in bravery,
enterprize and success. Scoto perceived, and warmly applauded his
courage and conduct: the fame of his actions was spread through the
army, and his first campaign crowned him with that reputation to
which he had long aspired. King Philip himself had witnessed his
achievements; he beheld him as he led a troop to the onset, and
turned in favour of France the dubious fortune of a hard-fought
day. The King proved his gratitude by bestowing on him such praises
and rewards as filled Castruccio with triumph and delight.
Scoto was quartered during the winter at one of the Flemish
towns, and Castruccio was invited to partake of the gaieties of the
Parisian court. He obeyed the summons, and spent some weeks in the
enjoyment of all those amusements which the palace of Philip
afforded. His beauty and grace attracted the notice of the ladies;
and his fame in arms caused him to be distinguished by the French
nobility.
Towards the close of the winter he returned to the camp of
Scoto, in whose esteem he held a very high place. This general
delighted in imparting his experience to so attentive a listener,
and in endeavouring to form the genius of one who he foresaw would
rise to the highest rank among the lords of Italy. Castruccio was
admitted at all hours to his tent; they rode together; and, under
the precepts of one well experienced in the politics of Italy,
Castruccio began to understand and meditate the part he should act,
when he returned to that country. Yet Scoto's was an evil
school; and, if his pupil gained from him a true insight into
Italian politics, he at the same time learned the use of those arts
which then so much disgraced that people. The Punica fides had been
transferred across the Mediterranean; and every kind of wile and
artifice was practised in the Italian palaces, which ever received
from the court of the Popes, as from a well of poison, courtiers
and crafty politicians, who never permitted the art to fail for
want of instructors. Scoto had been more successful than any other
in the exercise of this policy, and he now initiated Castruccio in
the secrets of the craft. Hitherto his mind had been innocence, and
all his thoughts were
The manners of Scoto were courtly; and in his conversation with
the youth his keen judgement quickly discovered the qualifications
of Castruccio. They dined together; and afterwards, having equipped
him in a becoming dress, he presented him to the French king, from
whom he experienced a favourable reception. Castruccio did not fail
speedily to inform Alderigo of his situation, who immediately
remitted him a sum of money amply sufficient for his present
supply.
Castruccio had now exchanged the idle gaieties of the English
court for the active labours of a camp; and on the following day he
entered on his military duties. Scoto presented him with a suit of
armour, selecting one of the most costly that he possessed. There
was a small iron scull cap which fitted the head, and was worn
under the helmet. The casque itself was of highly polished iron
inlaid with gold in beautiful devices, and the mailed collar for
his neck was plated with the same precious metal. The breast-plate
was finely carved, and fastened over the shoulders to the back
plate, which was laboured with less delicacy. The greaves which
sheathed his legs, were beautifully inlaid, and shone with gold;
his sword was of the finest temper, and the scabbard, richly
adorned, hung at his side from an embroidered scarf; a shield and a
good lance completed his equipment. Arms of less costly manufacture
were chosen for his horse, which, selected from the stud of Scoto,
was strong, heavy and spirited.
The next day the camp was in motion. It were needless to detail
the events of this campaign: several battles were fought, and some
towns taken. The French who had hitherto been losers, regained
their ground; and in every action the troop of Scoto distinguished
itself, and among his troop Castruccio was pre--eminent in bravery,
enterprize and success. Scoto perceived, and warmly applauded his
courage and conduct: the fame of his actions was spread through the
army, and his first campaign crowned him with that reputation to
which he had long aspired. King Philip himself had witnessed his
achievements; he beheld him as he led a troop to the onset, and
turned in favour of France the dubious fortune of a hard-fought
day. The King proved his gratitude by bestowing on him such praises
and rewards as filled Castruccio with triumph and delight.
Scoto was quartered during the winter at one of the Flemish
towns, and Castruccio was invited to partake of the gaieties of the
Parisian court. He obeyed the summons, and spent some weeks in the
enjoyment of all those amusements which the palace of Philip
afforded. His beauty and grace attracted the notice of the ladies;
and his fame in arms caused him to be distinguished by the French
nobility.
Towards the close of the winter he returned to the camp of
Scoto, in whose esteem he held a very high place. This general
delighted in imparting his experience to so attentive a listener,
and in endeavouring to form the genius of one who he foresaw would
rise to the highest rank among the lords of Italy. Castruccio was
admitted at all hours to his tent; they rode together; and, under
the precepts of one well experienced in the politics of Italy,
Castruccio began to understand and meditate the part he should act,
when he returned to that country. Yet Scoto's was an evil
school; and, if his pupil gained from him a true insight into
Italian politics, he at the same time learned the use of those arts
which then so much disgraced that people. The Punica fides had been
transferred across the Mediterranean; and every kind of wile and
artifice was practised in the Italian palaces, which ever received
from the court of the Popes, as from a well of poison, courtiers
and crafty politicians, who never permitted the art to fail for
want of instructors. Scoto had been more successful than any other
in the exercise of this policy, and he now initiated Castruccio in
the secrets of the craft. Hitherto his mind had been innocence, and
all his thoughts were
Similar Books
