ABSTRACT
At the time when King Robert of Naples was alive, the poet called Dante of Florence lived too, and, since he was unable to remain in Florence or in any land where the Church ruled, sometimes he dwelt with the Lord of Mantua and sometimes in the Duchy of the Duke of Lucca, that is with Messer Castruccio Castracani. And, Dante's fame having already travelled far, King Robert desired to have him by him in order to enjoy his wit and worth, so he sent letters to the Duke and to Dante begging that the latter should visit him.
