Where you formerly saw troops of girls dancing, there are now only bands of robbers and assassins." Lucchino del Verme, one of the most famous condottieri of his time, had commanded troops in the service of the Visconti, at whose court he made the acquaintance of Petrarch.

Our poet invited him to serve the Venetians in the war in which they were engaged with the people of Candia.

Lucchino went to Venice whilst Petrarch was absent, reviewed the troops, and embarked for Candia on board the fleet, which consisted of thirty galleys and eight large vessels.

Petrarch did not return to Venice till the expedition had sailed.

He passed the summer in the country, having at his house one of his friends, Barthelemi di Pappazuori, Bishop of Christi, whom he had known at Avignon, and who had come purposely to see him.