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 of the Duke of Florence.  In January of the following year, he invited young Giovanni to visit Rome, and immediately conceived an immense fancy for his charming visitor.  Giovanni was preconised Cardinal-Deacon, with the title of Santa Maria in Domenica, and the Pope presented him his own private residence, with its appointments and household.  The young Cardinal spent some weeks in the Eternal City, and gathered around him, by his courtesy and liberality, most of the Florentine exiles in Rome and its environs.  They were generally in a woeful condition, and the young prince undertook to bring their misfortunes and their fervent wishes before his father.