t the populace already
half forgot the young noble's generous appeal, and were only bitterly
commenting on the ungracious silence of his brother Lords. What, too, to
them was this crusade against the robbers of the road? They blamed
the good Bishop for not saying boldly to the nobles--"Ye are the first
robbers we must march against!" The popular discontents had gone far
beyond palliatives; they had arrived at that point when the people
longed less for reform than change. There are times when a revolution
cannot be warded off; it must come--come alike by resistance or
by concession. Wo to that race in which a revolution produces no
fruits!--in which the thunderbolt smites the high place, but does
not purify the air! To suffer in vain is often the lot of the
noblest individuals; but when a People suffer in vain, let them curse
themselves!

Chapter 2.IV. The Ambitious Citizen, and the Ambitious Soldier.

The Bishop of Orvietto lingered last, to confer with Rienzi, who awaited
him in the recesses of the Lateran. Raimond had the penetration not
to be seduced into believing that the late scene could effect any
reformation amongst the nobles, heal their divisions, or lead them
actively against the infestors of the Campagna. But, as he detailed to
Rienzi all that had occurred subsequent to the departure of that hero of
the scene, he concluded with saying:--

"You will perceive from this, one good result will be produced: the
first armed dissension--the first fray among the nobles--will seem like
a breach of promise; and, to the people and to the Pope, a reasonable
excuse for despairing of all amendment amongst the Barons,--an excuse
which will sanction the efforts of the first, and the approval of the
last."

"For such a fray we shall not long wait," answered Rienzi.

"I believe the prophecy," answered Raimond, smiling; "at present all
runs well. Go you with us homeward?"

"Nay, I think it better to tarry here till the crowd is entirely
dispersed; for if they were to see me, in their present excitement, they
might insist on some rash and hasty enterprise. Besides, my Lord," added
Rienzi, "with an ignorant people, however honest and enthusiastic, this
rule must be rigidly observed--stale not your presence by custom. Never
may men like me, who have no external rank, appear amongst the crowd,
save on those occasions when the mind is itself a rank."

"That is true, as you have no train," answered Raimond, thinking of hi