their strength; others were very well pleased with the invention of the Game, which was very good to breed up youth to run, leap and wrastle; and many believed this to be the cause why it was instituted in that for∣merly so famous Commonwealth: but the quicker sighted Politicians, argued from the going together by ears of those young Florentines, that some great mysterie lay concealed in that sport; for that Common∣wealths are fuller of intestine hatred, and hidden ranchor of spirit, then are Monarchies, by reason of the continual flocking to Magistrates, and frequent denials which are given to Senators of such places as they de∣sire, receiving doubtlesly more distastes thereby one from another, then is observed to fall out between people who live in a Monarchy; and it being impossible but that some violent passion of anger must burst forth in a liberty full of distastes, the Politicians affirmed, That the Common∣wealth of Florence had done very well and wisely in introducing the Calcio amongst her Citizens, to the end that having the satisfaction of giving four or five good round buffets in the face to those to whom they bare ill will, by way of sport, they might the better afterwards ap∣pease their anger. An evaporation which if it should be had upon another occasion by a dagger, it would have much indangered the publike liberty. The same Politicians affirm for certain, that the Sancsi introduced the fa∣mous Gioco della pugna in their Commonwealth, and the Venesians the assaulting of the bridge in theirs, for no other end but this. But it hapned that a spruce Courtier who was a Spectator at this sport, being asked by that famous Pietro Caponi, who by the bold answer he gave to a King of France, won eternal fame, how he liked their Calcio; who answered, The sport was very pleasant, but that those Florentines did not play well. And the Game of Calcio being particular to the Florentine Na∣tion, and altogether unknown in •…•…ther parts, Caponi thought the Cour∣tier had said amiss; wherefore he asked him, Whether he thought he could play better? The Courtier answered freely, that if they would permit him to play with them, he would teach those Florentine Gen∣tlemen the true art how to take the ball, how to •…•…un with it, how to re∣pulse the wrastlers dextrously, who would take it away, and other ex∣cellent master like tricks. Caponi laught to hear the Courtier boast thus, and having acquainted all the Florentine Gamesters with what he said, they joyntly invited him to play. The Courtier made himself ready, and entred the lists; where the Florentines promising themselvs much pastime in buffetting and abusing him, made him a round, and present∣ly the Ball was thrown up in the ayr by men appointed thereunto: which came no sooner to the ground, but that the nimble Courtier ran towards it, and having taken it up, clap it under his left arm; those of the contrary party ran to take it away from him: but he with great strength justled one, and thrust away another; and whereas the Florentines, who were masters of the sport, thought to have thrown him down, they were thrown down themselves; for the sturdy Courtier did so freely lay a∣bout him on all sides with his arm, shoulders, head, and every part of him, as he made all keep aloof, so as the greatest part of the Florentines of the adverse part, were thrown to the ground; and some of them re∣ceived such blows on their breasts, as they could hardly breathe for a good while after. And the Courtier having overcome all that withstood him, threw the ball over the lists, and won the Prize. At which he