the-prince

About this time Messer Francesco died, leaving a son thirteen
years of age named Pagolo, and having appointed
Castruccio to be his son’s tutor and administrator of his estate.
Before he died Francesco called Castruccio to him, and
prayed him to show Pagolo that goodwill which he (Francesco)
had always shown to HIM, and to render to the son the
gratitude which he had not been able to repay to the father.
Upon the death of Francesco, Castruccio became the governor
and tutor of Pagolo, which increased enormously his
power and position, and created a certain amount of envy
against him in Lucca in place of the former universal goodwill,
for many men suspected him of harbouring tyrannical
intentions. Among these the leading man was Giorgio degli
Opizi, the head of the Guelph party. This man hoped after
the death of Messer Francesco to become the chief man in
Lucca, but it seemed to him that Castruccio, with the great
abilities which he already showed, and holding the position
of governor, deprived him of his opportunity; therefore he
began to sow those seeds which should rob Castruccio of
his eminence. Castruccio at first treated this with scorn, but
afterwards he grew alarmed, thinking that Messer Giorgio
might be able to bring him into disgrace with the deputy of
King Ruberto of Naples and have him driven out of Lucca.
The Lord of Pisa at that time was Uguccione of the Faggiuola
of Arezzo, who being in the first place elected their
captain afterwards became their lord. There resided in
Paris some exiled Ghibellines from Lucca, with whom Castruccio
held communications with the object of effecting
their restoration by the help of Uguccione. Castruccio also
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The Prince