The keen retort of power. Why, I have reasoned; And, but that I am held, amongst your great ones, Half madman and half fool, these bones of mine Warn them! They met At every step dark warnings. Friend met friend, nor smiled, Till the last footfall of the tyrant's steed Had died upon the ear. Sir, the boys, The unfledged boys, march at their mother's hist, Their lovers in this cause. I have one yonder, Claudia Rienzi,—thou hast seen the maid- As ever nursed a dove, or reared a flower— Ang. To whom? to whom? Rie. To liberty. A king's son Might kneel in vain for Claudia. None shall wed her, Save a true champion of the cause. Ang. I'll join ye: How shall I swear? [Gives his hand to Rienzi. Friends, comrades, countrymen! I bring unhoped-for aid. Young Angelo Craves To join your band. All the Citizens shout-He's welcome! [Coming for Ang. Hear me swear ward. By Rome-by freedom-by Rienzi! Comrades, How have ye titled your deliverer? consul Dictator, emperor ? Rie. No: Those names have been so often steeped in blood, So shamed by folly, so profaned by sin, The sound seems ominous,-I'll none of them. My honouring duty lies. [The Citizens shout, Hail to our Tribune! - The bell sounds thrice; shouts again; and a military band is heard playing a march without. Hark-the bell, the bell! That, to the city and the plain, Proclaims the glorious tale Of Rome reborn, and Freedom. See, the clouds Are swept away, and the moon's boat of light [The gate of the Capitol opens, and ALBERTI and Soldiers join the People, and lay the keys at RIENZI's feet. Hark! that great voice Hath broke our bondage. Look, without a stroke The Capitol is won-the gates unfold— The keys are at our feet. Alberti, friend, How shall I pay the service? Citizens ! First to possess the palace citadel— The famous strength of Rome; then to sweep on, [AS RIENZI and the People are entering the Capitol, he pauses. Oh, glorious wreck Of gods and Cæsars! thou shalt reign again, Queen of the world; and I-come on, come on, My people! [Citizens. Live Rienzi-live our Tribune! * [Exeunt through the gates, into the Capitol. * * * * * RIENZI rules as Tribune, until the People again revolt. They sacrifice RIENZI, who dies "the last of the Tribunes." RIENZI, Soldiers and Citizens. Down with Rienzi! Citizens. Down with the tyrant! Citizens, Rienzi. Who calls upon Rienzi? What seek ye of your Tribune? .... why come ye? 2d Cit. For vengeance, perjured tyrant! for thy blood— for liberty! Rie. For liberty! Go seek The mountain-tops, where with the crashing pines The north wind revels; Go where the eagle or the sea-snake dwell; Midst mighty elements, where nature is, And man is not, and ye may see afar, Their Tribune; vain and idle dream! Take back The symbol and the power. 1st Cit. Tyrant! thy life! Rie. Come on. I am unarmed. What seek ye more? Why pause ye, cowards? My breast is bare. Why pause ye? Enter CLAUDIA; she rushes forward to RIENZI.-The Peo ple surround him. Rie. Drag her from my neck, If ye be men! Save her! She never harmed My Claudia, bless thee! bless thee! Nownow! [RIENZI falls, pierced by many spears, and the People divide, leaving CLAUDIA stretched on her Father's body. Thomas Lovell Beddoes. THE BRIDE'S TRAGEDY. HESPERUS and FLORIBEL, the young wedded Lovers, are in a Garden, discoursing on the Beautics of Flowers. HESPERUS, FLORIBEL. Hesperus. See, here's a bower Of eglantine with honeysuckles woven, Floribel. Jealous so soon, my Hesperus? Look then, It is a bunch of flowers I pulled for you: Here's the blue violet, like Pandora's eye, When first it darkened with immortal life. Hes. Sweet as thy lips. Fie on those taper fingers, To drag the daisy from its hiding-place, Flo. And here's a treasure that I found by chance, A lily of the valley; low it lay Over a mossy mound, withered and weeping, Give me the rose, though there's a tale of blood Soiling its name. 'Tis writ, how Zephyr, envious of his love Toyed with a pea-bud in a lady's garland); The felon winds, confederate with him, Bound the sweet slumberer with golden chains, Pulled from the wreathed laburnum, and together Deep cast him in the bosom of a rose, And fed the fettered wretch with dew and air. James Sheridan Knowles. VIRGINIUS. The Death of VIRGINIA. Rome.--The Forum. Appius, Claudius, Lictors, and People. Appius. Well, Claudius, are the forces At hand? Claudius. They are, and timely, too; the people Are in unwonted ferment. |