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opportunity one morning, and arming themselves, they set
upon the lieutenant whom Castruccio had left to maintain
order and killed him. They endeavoured to raise the people
in revolt, but Stefano di Poggio, a peaceable old man who
had taken no hand in the rebellion, intervened and compelled
them by his authority to lay down their arms; and he
offered to be their mediator with Castruccio to obtain from
him what they desired. Therefore they laid down their arms
with no greater intelligence than they had taken them up.
Castruccio, having heard the news of what had happened at
Lucca, at once put Pagolo Guinigi in command of the army,
and with a troop of cavalry set out for home. Contrary to his
expectations, he found the rebellion at an end, yet he posted
his men in the most advantageous places throughout the
city. As it appeared to Stefano that Castruccio ought to be
very much obliged to him, he sought him out, and without
saying anything on his own behalf, for he did not recognize
any need for doing so, he begged Castruccio to pardon the
other members of his family by reason of their youth, their
former friendships, and the obligations which Castruccio
was under to their house. To this Castruccio graciously responded,
and begged Stefano to reassure himself, declaring
that it gave him more pleasure to find the tumult at an end
than it had ever caused him anxiety to hear of its inception.
He encouraged Stefano to bring his family to him,
saying that he thanked God for having given him the opportunity
of showing his clemency and liberality. Upon the
word of Stefano and Castruccio they surrendered, and with
Stefano were immediately thrown into prison and put to
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