Chapter 10.VII. The Tax.
These formidable conspiracies quelled, the Barons nearly subdued, and three
parts of the Papal territory reunited to Rome, Rienzi now deemed he might
safely execute one of his favourite projects for the preservation of the
liberties of his native city; and this was to raise and organize in each
quarter of Rome a Roman Legion. Armed in the defence of their own
institutions, he thus trusted to establish amongst her own citizens the
only soldiery requisite for Rome.
But so base were the tools with which this great man was condemned to work
out his noble schemes, that none could be found to serve their own country,
without a pay equal to that demanded by foreign hirelings. With the
insolence so peculiar to a race that has once been great, each Roman said,
"Am I not better than a German? - Pay me, then, accordingly."
The Senator smothered his disgust - he had learned at last to know that the
age of the Catos was no more. From a daring enthusiast, experience had
converted him into a practical statesman. The Legions were necessary to
Rome - they were formed - gallant their appearance and faultless their
caparisons. How were they to be paid? There was but one means to maintain
Rome - Rome must be taxed. A gabelle was put upon wine and salt.
The Proclamation ran thus:-
"Romans! raised to the rank of your Senator, my whole thought has been for
your liberties and welfare; already treason defeated in the City, our
banners triumphant without, attest the favour with which the Deity regards
men who seek to unite liberty with law. Let us set an example to Italy and
the World! Let us prove that the Roman sword can guard the Roman Forum!
In each Rione of the City is provided a Legion of the Citizens, collected
from the traders and artisans of the town; they allege that they cannot
leave their callings without remuneration. Your senator calls upon you
willingly to assist in your own defence. He has given you liberty; he has
restored to you peace: your oppressors are scattered over the earth. He
asks you now to preserve the treasures you have gained. To be free, you
must sacrifice something; for freedom, what sacrifice too great? Confident
of your support, I at length, for the first time, exert the right entrusted
to me by office - and for Rome's salvation I tax the Romans!"
Then followed the announcement of the gabelle.
The Proclamation was set up in the public thoroughfares. Round one of the
placards a crowd assembled. Their gestures were vehement and unguarded -
their eyes sparkled - they conversed low, but eagerly.
"He dares to tax us, then! Why, the Barons or the Pope could not do more
than that!"
"Shame! shame!" cried a gaunt female; "we, who were his friends! How are
our little ones to get bread?"
"He should have seized the Pope's money!" quoth an honest wine-vender.
"Ah! Pandulfo di Guido would have maintained an army at his own cost. He
was a rich man. What insolence in the innkeeper's son to be a Senator!"
"We are not Romans if we suffer this!" said a deserter from Palestrina.
"Fellow-citizens!" exclaimed gruffly a tall man, who had hitherto been
making a clerk read to him the particulars of the tax imposed, and whose
heavy brain at length understood that wine was to be made dearer - "Fellow-
citizens, we must have a new revolution! This is indeed gratitude! What
have we benefited by restoring this man! Are we always to be ground to the
dust? To pay - pay - pay! Is that all we are fit for?"
"Hark to Cecco del Vecchio!"
"No, no; not now," growled the smith. "Tonight the artificers have a
special meeting. We'll see - we'll see!"
A young man, muffled in a cloak, who had not been before observed, touched
the smith.
"Whoever storms the Capitol the day after tomorrow at the dawn," he
whispered, "shall find the guards absent!"
He was gone before the smith could look round.
The same night Rienzi, retiring to rest, said to Angelo Villani - "A bold
but necessary measure this of mine! How do the people take it?"
"They murmur a little, but seem to recognise the necessity. Cecco del
Vecchio was the loudest grumbler, but is now the loudest approver."
"The man is rough; he once deserted me; - but then that fatal
excommunication! He and the Romans learned a bitter lesson in that
desertion, and experience has, I trust, taught them to be honest. Well, if
this tax be raised quietly, in two years Rome will be again the Queen of
Italy; - her army manned - her Republic formed; and then - then - "
"Then what, Senator?"
"Why then, my Angelo, Cola di Rienzi may die in peace! There is a want
which a profound experience of power and pomp brings at last to us - a want
gnawing as that of hunger, wearing as that of sleep! - my Angelo, it is the
want to die!"
"My Lord, I would give this right hand," cried Villani, earnestly, "to hear
you say you were attached to life!"
"You are a good youth, Angelo!" said Rienzi, as he passed to Nina's
chamber; and in her smile and wistful tenderness, forgot for a while - that
he was a great man!
