f this am I, that if ye succeed, I, his responsible but
unworthy vicar, will myself sanction the success. But beware of crude
attempts; the Church must not be weakened by linking itself to failure."

"Right, my Lord," answered Rienzi; "and in this, the policy of religion
is that of freedom. Judge of my prudence by my long delay. He who can
see all around him impatient--himself not less so--and yet suppress the
signal, and bide the hour, is not likely to lose his cause by rashness."

"More, then, of this anon," said the Bishop, resettling himself in his
seat. "As thy plans mature, fear not to communicate with me. Believe
that Rome has no firmer friend then he who, ordained to preserve order,
finds himself impotent against aggression. Meanwhile, to the object of
my present visit, which links itself, in some measure, perhaps, with the
topics on which we have conversed...Thou knowest that when his Holiness
intrusted thee with thy present office, he bade thee also announce his
beneficent intention of granting a general Jubilee at Rome for the year
1350--a most admirable design for two reasons, sufficiently apparent
to thyself: first, that every Christian soul that may undertake the
pilgrimage to Rome on that occasion, may thus obtain a general remission
of sins; and secondly, because, to speak carnally, the concourse of
pilgrims so assembled, usually, by the donations and offerings their
piety suggests, very materially add to the revenues of the Holy See:
at this time, by the way, in no very flourishing condition. This thou
knowest, dear Rienzi."

Rienzi bowed his head in assent, and the prelate continued--

"Well, it is with the greatest grief that his Holiness perceives that
his pious intentions are likely to be frustrated: for so fierce and
numerous are now the brigands in the public approaches to Rome, that,
verily, the boldest pilgrim may tremble a little to undertake the
journey; and those who do so venture will, probably, be composed of the
poorest of the Christian community,--men who, bringing with them neither
gold, nor silver, nor precious offerings, will have little to fear from
the rapacity of the brigands. Hence arise two consequences: on the
one hand, the rich--whom, Heaven knows, and the Gospel has, indeed,
expressly declared, have the most need of a remission of sins--will be
deprived of this glorious occasion for absolution; and, on the other
hand, the coffers of the Church will be impiously defrauded of t