sang to their hearts' content, amid the plaudits of the company.

The Duke easily excelled all his courtiers and the many distinguished
visitors who made Florence their rendezvous, in exploits in the
hunting-field. No one rode faster than he, always in at the death,
whether buck or boar, he was second to none as a falconer. He knew every
piscatorial trick to take a basketful of fish, and in the game of
water-polo, in the Arno, no swimmer gained more goals!

In the middle of October, 1562, the Duke and Duchess, with their four
sons, Giovanni, Garzia, Ernando, and little Piero--only eight years
old--accompanied by a limited suite, left the Palazzo Pitti for a
progress through South Tuscany and the Maremma. At Fuicchio and Grosseto
they made sojourns, that the Duke might inspect the new fortifications,
which were nearing completion, and view the partly formed roads.

The cavalcade passed on to Castiglione della Pescaia, Massa Maritima,
and thence to the Castello di Rosignano, where they went into residence
for the hunting season. The members of the Ducal family were not in very
robust health, and Maestro Stefano had "indicated" the healthy pastime
of the chase as a cure for enfeebled constitutions. Don Giovanni, born
28th September, was just nineteen. He was of a gentle disposition,
serious beyond his years, amenable to the dictates of conscience, and
attracted by the offices of religion. In many ways he resembled his
mother, and was physically more of a Spaniard than a Florentine. From
his earliest years he evinced a remarkably docile submission to all who
were placed over him as teachers or governors. He was gifted with great
ability, for, sharing as he did, the studies and duties of his brothers,
he very soon surpassed them all in polite accomplishments. Francesco
Riccio, now the Duke's Major-domo, noted the young prince's
cheerfulness, conscientiousness and diligence. The reports which Maestro
Antonio da Barga made to his father of his son's progress were full of
praise of his young pupil's aptitude and perseverance. Giovanni de'
Medici was, in many respects, a brilliant exponent of Count Baltazzare
Castiglione's _Cortegiano_ or "Perfect Gentleman."

Cosimo expected great things of his amiable and accomplished son, and,
noting especially his sobriety and integrity, destined him for the
service of the Church. Pius IV. succeeded to the Papal throne in 1559,
and his election was in a great measure due to the advocacy o