Chapter 2.VIII. The Attack - the Retreat - the Election - and the
Adhesion.
Arriving at Rome, the company of the Colonna found the gates barred, and
the walls manned. Stephen bade advance his trumpeters, with one of his
captains, imperiously to demand admittance.
"We have orders," replied the chief of the town-guard, "to admit none who
bear arms, flags, or trumpets. Let the Lords Colonna dismiss their train,
and they are welcome."
"Whose are these insolent mandates?" asked the captain.
"Those of the Lord Bishop of Orvietto and Cola di Rienzi, joint protectors
of the Buono Stato." (Good Estate.)
The captain of the Colonna returned to his chief with these tidings. The
rage of Stephen was indescribable. "Go back," he cried, as soon as he
could summon voice, "and say, that, if the gates are not forthwith opened
to me and mine, the blood of the plebeians be on their own head. As for
Raimond, Vicars of the Pope have high spiritual authority, none temporal.
Let him prescribe a fast, and he shall be obeyed; but, for the rash Rienzi,
say that Stephen Colonna will seek him in the Capitol tomorrow, for the
purpose of throwing him out of the highest window."
These messages the envoy failed not to deliver.
The captain of the Romans was equally stern in his reply.
"Declare to your Lord," said he, "that Rome holds him and his as rebels and
traitors; and that the moment you regain your troop, our archers receive
our command to draw their bows - in the name of the Pope, the City, and the
Liberator."
This threat was executed to the letter; and ere the old Baron had time to
draw up his men in the best array, the gates were thrown open, and a well-
armed, if undisciplined, multitude poured forth, with fierce shouts,
clashing their arms, and advancing the azure banners of the Roman State.
So desperate their charge, and so great their numbers, that the Barons,
after a short and tumultuous conflict, were driven back, and chased by
their pursuers for more than a mile from the walls of the city.
As soon as the Barons recovered their disorder and dismay, a hasty council
was held, at which various and contradictory opinions were loudly urged.
Some were for departing on the instant to Palestrina, which belonged to the
Colonna, and possessed an almost inaccessible fortress. Others were for
dispersing, and entering peaceably, and in detached parties, through the
other gates. Stephen Colonna - himself incensed and disturbed from his
usual self-command - was unable to preserve his authority; Luca di Savelli,
(The more correct orthography were Luca di Savello, but the one in the text
is preserved as more familiar to the English reader.) a timid, though
treacherous and subtle man, already turned his horse's head, and summoned
his men to follow him to his castle in Romagna, when the old Colonna
bethought himself of a method by which to keep his band from a disunion
that he had the sense to perceive would prove fatal to the common cause.
He proposed that they should at once repair to Palestrina, and there
fortify themselves; while one of the chiefs should be selected to enter
Rome alone, and apparently submissive, to examine the strength of Rienzi;
and with the discretionary power to resist if possible, - or to make the
best terms he could for the admission of the rest.
"And who," asked Savelli, sneeringly, "will undertake this dangerous
mission? Who, unarmed and alone, will expose himself to the rage of the
fiercest populace of Italy, and the caprice of a demagogue in the first
flush of his power?"
The Barons and the Captains looked at each other in silence. Savelli
laughed.
Hitherto Adrian had taken no part in the conference, and but little in the
previous contest. He now came to the support of his kinsman.
"Signors!" said he, "I will undertake this mission, - but on mine own
account, independently of yours; - free to act as I may think best, for the
dignity of a Roman noble, and the interests of a Roman citizen; free to
raise my standard on mine own tower, or to yield fealty to the new estate."
"Well said!" cried the old Colonna, hastily. "Heaven forbid we should
enter Rome as foes, if to enter it as friends be yet allowed us! What say
ye, gentles?"
"A more worthy choice could not be selected," said Savelli; "but I should
scarce deem it possible that a Colonna could think there was an option
between resistance and fealty to this upstart revolution."
"Of that, Signor, I will judge for myself; if you demand an agent for
yourselves, choose another. I announce to ye frankly, that I have seen
enough of other states to think the recent condition of Rome demanded some
redress. Whether Rienzi and Raimond be worthy of the task they have
assumed, I know not."
Savelli was silent. The old Colonna seized the word.
"To Palestrina, then! - are ye all agreed on this? At the worst, or at the
best, we should not be divided! On this condition alone I hazard the
safety of my kinsman!"
The Barons murmured a little among themselves; - the expediency of
Stephen's proposition was evident, and they at length assented to it.
Adrian saw them depart, and then, attended only by his squire, slowly rode
towards a more distant entrance into the city. On arriving at the gates,
his name was demanded - he gave it freely.
"Enter, my Lord," said the warder, "our orders were to admit all that came
unarmed and unattended. But to the Lord Adrian di Castello, alone, we had
a special injunction to give the honours due to a citizen and a friend."
Adrian, a little touched by this implied recollection of friendship, now
rode through a long line of armed citizens, who saluted him respectfully as
he passed, and, as he returned the salutation with courtesy, a loud and
approving shout followed his horse's steps.
So, save by one attendant, alone, and in peace, the young patrician
proceeded leisurely through the long streets, empty and deserted, - for
nearly one half of the inhabitants were assembled at the walls, and nearly
the other half were engaged in a more peaceful duty, - until, penetrating
the interior, the wide and elevated space of the Capitol broke upon his
sight. The sun was slowly setting over an immense multitude that
overspread the spot, and high above a scaffold raised in the centre, shone,
to the western ray, the great Gonfalon of Rome, studded with silver stars.
Adrian reined in his steed. "This," thought he, is scarcely the hour thus
publicly to confer with Rienzi; yet fain would I, mingled with the crowd,
judge how far his power is supported, and in what manner it is borne."
Musing a little, he withdrew into one of the obscurer streets, then wholly
deserted, surrendered his horse to his squire, and, borrowing of the latter
his morion and long mantle, passed to one of the more private entrances of
the Capitol, and, enveloped in his cloak, stood - one of the crowd - intent
upon all that followed.
"And what," he asked of a plainly dressed citizen, "is the cause of this
assembly?"
"Heard you not the proclamation?" returned the other in some surprise. "Do
you not know that the Council of the City and the Guilds of the Artisans
have passed a vote to proffer to Rienzi the title of king of Rome?"
The Knight of the Emperor, to whom belonged that august dignity, drew back
in dismay.
"And," resumed the citizen, "this assembly of all the lesser Barons,
Councillors, and Artificers, is convened to hear the answer."
"Of course it will be assent?"
"I know not - there are strange rumours; hitherto the Liberator has
concealed his sentiments."
At that instant a loud flourish of martial music announced the approach of
Rienzi. The crowd tumultuously divided, and presently, from the Palace of
the Capitol to the scaffold, passed Rienzi, still in complete armour, save
the helmet, and with him, in all the pomp of his episcopal robes, Raimond
of Orvietto.
As soon as Rienzi had ascended the platform, and was thus made visible to
the whole concourse, no words can suffice to paint the enthusiasm of the
scene - the shouts, the gestures, the tears, the sobs, the wild laughter,
in which the sympathy of those lively and susceptible children of the South
broke forth. The windows and balconies of the Palace were thronged with
the wives and daughters of the lesser Barons and more opulent citizens; and
Adrian, with a slight start, beheld amongst them, - pale - agitated -
tearful, - the lovely face of his Irene - a face that even thus would have
outshone all present, but for one by her side, whose beauty the emotion of
the hour only served to embellish. The dark, large, and flashing eyes of
Nina di Raselli, just bedewed, were fixed proudly on the hero of her
choice: and pride, even more than joy, gave a richer carnation to her
cheek, and the presence of a queen to her noble and rounded form. The
setting sun poured its full glory over the spot; the bared heads - the
animated faces of the crowd - the grey and vast mass of the Capitol; and,
not far from the side of Rienzi, it brought into a strange and startling
light the sculptured form of a colossal Lion of Basalt, (The existent
Capitol is very different from the building at the time of Rienzi; and the
reader must not suppose that the present staircase, designed by Michael
Angelo, at the base of which are two marble lions, removed by Pius IV. from
the Church of St. Stephen del Cacco, was the staircase of the Lion of
Basalt, which bears so stern a connexion with the history of Rienzi. That
mute witness of dark deeds is no more.) which gave its name to a staircase
leading to the Capitol. It was an old Egyptian relic, - vast, worn, and
grim; some symbol of a vanished creed, to whose face the sculptor had
imparted something of the aspect of the human countenance. And this
producing the effect probably sought, gave at all times a mystic,
preternatural, and fearful expression to the stern features, and to that
solemn and hushed repose, which is so peculiarly the secret of Egyptian
sculpture. The awe which this colossal and frowning image was calculated
to convey, was felt yet more deeply by the vulgar, because "the Staircase
of the Lion" was the wonted place of the state executions, as of the state
ceremonies. And seldom did the stoutest citizen forget to cross himself,
or feel unchilled with a certain terror, whenever, passing by the place, he
caught, suddenly fixed upon him, the stony gaze and ominous grin of that
old monster from the cities of the Nile.
It was some minutes before the feelings of the assembly allowed Rienzi to
be heard. But when, at length, the last shout closed with a simultaneous
cry of "Long live Rienzi! Deliverer and King of Rome!" he raised his hand
impatiently, and the curiosity of the crowd procured a sudden silence.
"Deliverer of Rome, my countrymen!" said he. "Yes! change not that title -
I am too ambitious to be a King! Preserve your obedience to your Pontiff -
your allegiance to your Emperor - but be faithful to your own liberties.
Ye have a right to your ancient constitution; but that constitution needed
not a king. Emulous of the name of Brutus, I am above the titles of a
Tarquin! Romans, awake! awake! be inspired with a nobler love of liberty
than that which, if it dethrones the tyrant of today, would madly risk the
danger of tyranny for tomorrow! Rome wants still a liberator - never an
usurper! - Take away yon bauble!"
There was a pause; the crowd were deeply affected - but they uttered no
shouts; they looked anxiously for a reply from their councillors, or
popular leaders.
"Signor," said Pandulfo di Guido, who was one of the Caporioni, "your
answer is worthy of your fame. But, in order to enforce the law, Rome must
endow you with a legal title - if not that of King, deign to accept that of
Dictator or of Consul."
"Long live the Consul Rienzi!" cried several voices.
Rienzi waved his hand for silence.
"Pandulfo di Guido! and you, honoured Councillors of Rome! such title is at
once too august for my merits, and too inapplicable to my functions. I am
one of the people - the people are my charge; the nobles can protect
themselves. Dictator and Consul are the appellations of patricians. "No,"
he continued after a short pause, "if ye deem it necessary, for the
preservation of order, that your fellow-citizen should be intrusted with a
formal title and a recognised power, be it so: but let it be such as may
attest the nature of our new institutions, the wisdom of the people, and
the moderation of their leaders. Once, my countrymen, the people elected,
for the protectors of their rights and the guardians of their freedom,
certain officers responsible to the people, - chosen from the people, -
provident for the people. Their power was great, but it was delegated: a
dignity, but a trust. The name of these officers with that of Tribune.
Such is the title that conceded, not by clamour alone, but in the full
Parliament of the people, and accompanied by, such Parliament, ruling with
such Parliament, - such is the title I will gratefully accept." (Gibbon
and Sismondi alike, (neither of whom appears to have consulted with much
attention the original documents preserved by Hocsemius,) say nothing of
the Representative Parliament, which it was almost Rienzi's first public
act to institute or model. Six days from the memorable 19th of May, he
addressed the people of Viterbo in a letter yet extant. He summons them to
elect and send two syndics, or ambassadors, to the general Parliament.)
The speech, the sentiments of Rienzi were rendered far more impressive by a
manner of earnest and deep sincerity; and some of the Romans, despite their
corruption, felt a momentary exultation in the forbearance of their chief.
"Long live the Tribune of Rome!" was shouted, but less loud than the cry of
"Live the King!" And the vulgar almost thought the revolution was
incomplete, because the loftier title was not assumed. To a degenerate and
embruted people, liberty seems too plain a thing, if unadorned by the pomp
of the very despotism they would dethrone. Revenge is their desire, rather
than Release; and the greater the new power they create, the greater seems
their revenge against the old. Still all that was most respected,
intelligent, and powerful amongst the assembly, were delighted at a
temperance which they foresaw would free Rome from a thousand dangers,
whether from the Emperor or the Pontiff. And their delight was yet
increased, when Rienzi added, so soon as returning silence permitted - "And
since we have been equal labourers in the same cause, whatever honours be
awarded to me, should be extended also to the Vicar of the Pope, Raimond,
Lord Bishop of Orvietto. Remember, that both Church and State are properly
the rulers of the people, only because their benefactors. - Long live the
first Vicar of a Pope that was ever also the Liberator of a State!"
Whether or not Rienzi was only actuated by patriotism in his moderation,
certain it is, that his sagacity was at least equal to his virtue; and
perhaps nothing could have cemented the revolution more strongly, than thus
obtaining for a colleague the Vicar, and Representative of the Pontifical
power: it borrowed, for the time, the sanction of the Pope himself - thus
made to share the responsibility of the revolution, without monopolising
the power of the State.
While the crowd hailed the proposition of Rienzi; while their shouts yet
filled the air; while Raimond, somewhat taken by surprise, sought by signs
and gestures to convey at once his gratitude and his humility, the Tribune-
Elect, casting his eyes around, perceived many hitherto attracted by
curiosity, and whom, from their rank and weight, it was desirable to secure
in the first heat of the public enthusiasm. Accordingly, as soon as
Raimond had uttered a short and pompous harangue, - in which his eager
acceptance of the honour proposed him was ludicrously contrasted by his
embarrassed desire not to involve himself or the Pope in any untoward
consequences that might ensue, - Rienzi motioned to two heralds that stood
behind upon the platform, and one of these advancing, proclaimed - "That as
it was desirable that all hitherto neuter should now profess themselves
friends or foes, so they were invited to take at once the oath of obedience
to the laws, and subscription to the Buono Stato."
So great was the popular fervour, and so much had it been refined and
deepened in its tone by the addresses of Rienzi, that even the most
indifferent had caught the contagion: and no man liked to be seen
shrinking from the rest: so that the most neutral, knowing themselves the
most marked, were the most entrapped into allegiance to the Buono Stato.
The first who advanced to the platform and took the oath was the Signor di
Raselli, the father of Nina. - Others of the lesser nobility followed his
example.
The presence of the Pope's Vicar induced the aristocratic; the fear of the
people urged the selfish; the encouragement of shouts and gratulations
excited the vain. The space between Adrian and Rienzi was made clear. The
young noble suddenly felt the eyes of the Tribune were upon him; he felt
that those eyes recognised and called upon him - he coloured - he breathed
short. The noble forbearance of Rienzi had touched him to the heart; - the
applause - the pageant - the enthusiasm of the scene, intoxicated -
confused him. - He lifted his eyes and saw before him the sister of the
Tribune - the lady of his love! His indecision - his pause - continued,
when Raimond, observing him, and obedient to a whisper from Rienzi,
artfully cried aloud - "Room for the Lord Adrian di Castello! a Colonna! a
Colonna! " Retreat was cut off. Mechanically, and as if in a dream,
Adrian ascended to the platform: and to complete the triumph of the
Tribune, the sun's last ray beheld the flower of the Colonna - the best and
bravest of the Barons of Rome - confessing his authority, and subscribing
to his laws!
BOOK III. THE FREEDOM WITHOUT LAW.
"Ben furo avventurosi i cavalieri
Ch' erano a quella eta, che nei vallone,
Nelle scure spelonche e boschi fieri,
Tane di serpi, d'orsi e di leoni,
Trovavan quel che nei palazzi altieri
Appena or trovar pon giudici buoni;
Donne che nella lor piu fresca etade
Sien degne di aver titol di beltade."
Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, can. xiii. 1.
