Pagina 251 di 310

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.