Chapter 9.V. The Biter Bit.
The next morning, when Rienzi descended to the room where his captains
awaited him, his quick eye perceived that a cloud still lowered upon the
brow of Messere Brettone. Arimbaldo, sheltered by the recess of the rude
casement, shunned his eye.
"A fair morning, gentles," said Rienzi; "the Sun laughs upon our
enterprise. I have messengers from Rome betimes - fresh troops will join
us ere noon."
"I am glad, Senator," answered Brettone, "that you have tidings which will
counteract the ill of those I have to narrate to thee. The soldiers murmur
loudly - their pay is due to them; and, I fear me, that without money they
will not march to Palestrina."
"As they will," returned Rienzi, carelessly. "It is but a few days since
they entered Rome; pay did they receive in advance - if they demand more,
the Colonna and Orsini may outbid me. Draw off your soldiers, Sir Knight,
and farewell."
Brettone's countenance fell - it was his object to get Rienzi more and more
in his power, and he wished not to suffer him to gain that strength which
would accrue to him from the fall of Palestrina: the indifference of the
Senator foiled and entrapped him in his own net.
"That must not be," said the brother of Montreal, after a confused silence;
"we cannot leave you thus to your enemies - the soldiers, it is true,
demand pay - "
"And should have it," said Rienzi. "I know these mercenaries - it is ever
with them, mutiny or money. I will throw myself on my Romans, and triumph
- or fall, if so Heaven decrees, with them. Acquaint your constables with
my resolve."
Scarce were these words spoken, ere, as previously concerted with Brettone,
the chief constable of the mercenaries appeared at the door. "Senator,"
said he, with a rough semblance of aspect, "your orders to march have
reached me, I have sought to marshal my men - but - "
"I know what thou wouldst say, friend," interrupted Rienzi, waving his
hand: "Messere Brettone will give you my reply. Another time, Sir
Captain, more ceremony with the Senator of Rome - you may withdraw."
The unforeseen dignity of Rienzi rebuked and abashed the constable; he
looked at Brettone, who motioned him to depart. He closed the door and
withdrew.
"What is to be done?" said Brettone.
"Sir Knight," replied Rienzi, gravely, "let us understand each other.
Would you serve me or not? If the first, you are not my equal, but
subordinate - and you must obey and not dictate; if the last, my debt to
you shall be discharged, and the world is wide enough for both."
"We have declared allegiance to you," answered Brettone, "and it shall be
given."
"One caution before I re-accept your fealty," replied Rienzi, very slowly.
"For an open foe, I have my sword - for a traitor, mark me, Rome has the
axe; of the first I have no fear; for the last, no mercy."
"These are not words that should pass between friends," said Brettone,
turning pale with suppressed emotion.
"Friends! - ye are my friends, then! - your hands! Friends, so ye are! -
and shall prove it! Dear Arimbaldo, thou, like myself, art book-learned, -
a clerkly soldier. Dost thou remember how in the Roman history it is told
that the Treasury lacked money for the soldiers? The Consul convened the
Nobles. 'Ye,' said he, 'that have the offices and dignity should be the
first to pay for them.' Ye heed me, my friends; the nobles took the hint,
they found the money - the army was paid. This example is not lost on you.
I have made you the leaders of my force, Rome hath showered her honours on
you. Your generosity shall commence the example which the Romans shall
thus learn of strangers. Ye gaze at me, my friends! I read your noble
souls - and thank ye beforehand. Ye have the dignity and the office; ye
have also the wealth! - pay the hirelings, pay them!" (See the anonymous
biographer, lib. ii. cap. 19.)
Had a thunderbolt fallen at the feet of Brettone, he could not have been
more astounded than at this simple suggestion of Rienzi's. He lifted his
eyes to the Senator's face, and saw there that smile which he had already,
bold as he was, learned to dread. He felt himself fairly sunk in the pit
he had digged for another. There was that in the Senator-Tribune's brow
that told him to refuse was to declare open war, and the moment was not
ripe for that.
"Ye accede," said Rienzi; "ye have done well."
The Senator clapped his hands - his guard appeared.
"Summon the head constables of the soldiery."
The brothers still remained dumb.
The constables entered.
"My friends," said Rienzi, "Messere Brettone and Messere Arimbaldo have my
directions to divide amongst your force a thousand florins. This evening
we encamp beneath Palestrina."
The constables withdrew in visible surprise. Rienzi gazed a moment on the
brothers, chuckling within himself - for his sarcastic humour enjoyed his
triumph. "You lament not your devotion, my friends!"
"No," said Brettone, rousing himself; "the sum but trivially swells our
debt."
"Frankly said - your hands once more! - the good people of Tivoli expect me
in the Piazza - they require some admonitions. Adieu till noon."
When the door closed on Rienzi, Brettone struck the handle of his sword
fiercely - "The Roman laughs at us," said he. "But let Walter de Montreal
once appear in Rome, and the proud jester shall pay us dearly for this."
"Hush!" said Arimbaldo, "walls have ears, and that imp of Satan, young
Villani, seems to me ever at our heels!"
"A thousand florins! I trust his heart hath as many drops," growled the
chafed Brettone, unheeding his brother.
The soldiers were paid - the army marched - the eloquence of the Senator
had augmented his force by volunteers from Tivoli, and wild and half armed
peasantry joined his standard from the Campagna and the neighbouring
mountains.
Palestrina was besieged: Rienzi continued dexterously to watch the
brothers of Montreal. Under pretext of imparting to the Italian volunteers
the advantage of their military science, he separated them from their
mercenaries, and assigned to them the command of the less disciplined
Italians, with whom, he believed, they could not venture to tamper. He
himself assumed the lead of the Northmen - and, despite themselves, they
were fascinated by his artful, yet dignified affability, and the personal
courage he displayed in some sallies of the besieged Barons. But as the
huntsmen upon all the subtlest windings of their prey, - so pressed the
relentless and speeding Fates upon Cola di Rienzi!
