Pagina 300 di 310

He was accustomed to say that men ought to attempt everything and

fear nothing; that God is a lover of strong men, because one

always sees that the weak are chastised by the strong. He was

also wonderfully sharp or biting though courteous in his answers;

and as he did not look for any indulgence in this way of speaking

from others, so he was not angered with others did not show it to

him. It has often happened that he has listened quietly when

others have spoken sharply to him, as on the following occasions.

He had caused a ducat to be given for a partridge, and was taken

to task for doing so by a friend, to whom Castruccio had said:

"You would not have given more than a penny." "That is true,"

answered the friend.