Ere the storm burst? We'll light this darkness, sir, All the Citizens shout. Rienzi! Live, brave Rienzi! honest Cola! Rie. Friends! Citizens. Long live Rienzi! Alb. Listen to him. Rie. Friends I come not here to talk. Ye know too well The story of our thraldrom. Strong in some hundred spearmen,-only great Each hour, dark fraud, Or open rapine, or protected murder, Cry out against them. But this very day, An honest man, my neighbour [pointing to Paolo], there he stands, Was struck,-struck like a dog, by one who wore The badge of Ursini; because forsooth, He tossed not high his ready cap in air, Nor lifted up his voice in servile shouts, At sight of that great ruffian. Be we men, Such shames are common : I have known deeper wrongs. I that speak to ye, Full of all gentleness, of calmest hope, Of sweet and quiet joy— How I loved That gracious boy! Younger by fifteen years, In one short hour The pretty harmless boy was slain! I saw The corse, the mangled corse, and when I cried For vengeance!-Rouse ye, Romans !-Rouse, ye slaves ! Was greater than a king! And once again,- Shall walk with princes. Ere to-morrow's dawn, The tyrants First Cit. Hush! Who passes there? By his proud bearing. Seize him. Alb. A foe, Rie. As I deem, 'Tis Angelo Colonna. [Citizens retire back. Touch him not, I would hold parley with him. Good Alberti, The hour is nigh. Away! Now sir! [Exit ALBERTI. Enter ANGELO COLONNA. Ang. What be ye, That thus in stern and watchful mystery Cluster beneath the veil of night, and start Rie. Romans. Ang. And wherefore Meet ye, my countrymen ? Rie. For freedom. Ang. Surely, Thou art Cola di Rienzi? I knew thee by the words. Who, save thyself, in this bad age, when man Rie. I shall teach The world to blend those words, as in the days Before the Cæsars. To hail the union. Thou shalt be the first I have seen thee hang On tales of the world's mistress, till thine eyes Big tear-drops on thy cheeks, and thy young hand Ang. Hear me, Rienzi. Even now my spirit leaps up at the thought With the golden blaze of heaven; but past and gone, Rie. A dream! Dost see yon Phalanx, still and stern? A hundred leaders, each with such a band, So armed, so resolute, so fixed in will Wait with suppressed impatience till they hear The great bell of the Capitol, to spring At once on their proud foes. Join them. Ang. My father! Rie. Already he hath quitted Rome. Vinc. We are too strong for contest. Thou shalt see No other change within our peaceful streets Than that of slaves to freemen. Such a change As is the silent step from night to day, Will be the gaol, the gibbet, or the axe, The keen retort of power. Why, I have reasoned; They met At every step dark warnings. The pure air, Of sullen silence; friend met friend, nor smiled, Had died upon the ear; and low and hoarse Their lovers in this cause. I have one yonder, As ever nursed a dove, or reared a flower,— Ang. To whom? to whom?, Rie. To liberty. Was never virgin vowed Might kneel in vain for Claudia. None shall wed her, Ang. I'll join ye: How shall I swear? Rie. [to the people]. [Gives his hand to RIENZI. Friends, comrades, countrymen ! I bring unhoped-for aid. Young Angelo, The immediate heir of the Colonna, craves To join your band. All the citizens shout. He's welcome! By Rome-by freedom-by Rienzi! Comrades, The people shout. Consul! Emperor! etc., etc. Those names have been so often steeped in blood, The sound seems ominous.-I'll none of them. The citizens shout. Hail to our Tribune! The knell of tyranny-the mighty voice, That, to the city and the plain-to earth, Hark! that great voice Hath broke our bondage. Look, without a stroke The capitol is won-the gates unfold The keys are at our feet. Alberti, friend, The famous strength of Rome; then to sweep on, Oh! glorious wreck RIENZI pauses. Of gods and Cæsars! thou shalt reign again, Citizens. Live Rienzi- live our Tribune! - RIENZI. MISS MITFORD. Second Selection. Enter COLONNA, URSINI, FRANGIPANI, SAVELLI, CASTELLO, ETC. Col. Gibbet and cord! a base plebeian death! And he the head of the great Roman name, That rivalled the Colonna! Ursini, Thy brother shall not die. The grief is thine, To Cola-most familiar of the drones That thronged my hall of afternoons, content |