champion of his country
who was a traitor to his friends? Thus, indeed,

"The native hue of resolution
Was sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought!"

And he who should have been by nature a leader of the time became only
its spectator. Yet Adrian endeavoured to console himself for his present
passiveness in a conviction of the policy of his conduct. He who takes
no share in the commencement of civil revolutions, can often become,
with the most effect, a mediator between the passions and the parties
subsequently formed. Perhaps, under Adrian's circumstances, delay was
really the part of a prudent statesman; the very position which cripples
at the first, often gives authority before the end. Clear from the
excesses, and saved from the jealousies, of rival factions, all men
are willing to look with complaisance and respect to a new actor in a
turbulent drama; his moderation may make him trusted by the people; his
rank enable him to be a fitting mediator with the nobles; and thus the
qualities that would have rendered him a martyr at one period of the
Revolution, raise him perhaps into a saviour at another.

Silent, therefore, and passive, Adrian waited the progress of events. If
the projects of Rienzi failed, he might, by that in activity, the better
preserve the people from new chains, and their champion from death.
If those projects succeeded, he might equally save his house from the
popular wrath--and, advocating liberty, check disorder. Such, at least,
were his hopes; and thus did the Italian sagacity and caution of his
character control and pacify the enthusiasm of youth and courage.

The sun shone, calm and cloudless, upon the vast concourse gathered
before the broad space that surrounds the Church of St. John of
Lateran. Partly by curiosity--partly by the desire of the Bishop of
Orvietto--partly because it was an occasion in which they could display
the pomp of their retinues--many of the principal Barons of Rome had
gathered to this spot.

On one of the steps ascending to the church, with his mantle folded
round him, stood Walter de Montreal, gazing on the various parties that,
one after another, swept through the lane which the soldiers of the
Church preserved unimpeded, in the middle of the crowd, for the access
of the principal nobles. He watched with interest, though with his usual
carelessness of air and roving glance, the different marks and looks
of welcome given by the populace to the di