University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

—An Apartment in the Capitol.
Enter Rienzi, L., and Claudia, R., meeting, C.
Cla.
Father!
At last I find thee, father!

Rei.
Well, my child!
What wouldst thou?

Cla.
Nay, I know not. Be the guests
Departed?

Rie.
Yes.

Cla.
All gone; and wherefore went ye
To the Lateran, dear father? And where loiters—

Rie.
Aspic!

Cla.
Methought a bridal should be merrier—
Not merrier, but happier. Angelo!

Rie.
Oh, foulest ingrate! when I wed thy mother—
Oh, fiend accurs'd!

Cla.
Nay, nay,—perchance he's gone
To crave his mother's blessing. Is't not strange
That I should love so well who loves not me?
But I have felt a yearning of the heart
Toward that majestic lady, which hath reached
Almost to painfulness. If I should kneel
Before her and implore her grace—

Rie.
Thou'dst find
Such welcome as the mountain cat might yield
To the dappled fawn; such greeting as the wolf
To the curled lamb.

Cla.
Oh! she would love me, father,
Even for the prideful love of Angelo,
That woke her hatred first. A mother joys
To tell fond legends of her children: who,
Like me, would listen, with unwearied ear,
To tales of Angelo, and call for more;
And, when her store was ended, cry again;
And every day, and all day long, be fed
With praise of that dear name? Why dost thou groan?

Rie.
A scorpion stung me.

Cla.
Kill it, father—kill it,
Before it sting again.

Rie.
Alas, alas!
I'll think of him no more.
Enter Camillo, followed by Alberti, L.
Camillo, speak!
Thy breathless speed and pallid cheeks have told
A world of news already. Quick, Alberti!
Thy tidings, man,—thy tidings!

Alb.
Good my lord,
Rome is begirt with foes. The barons lead
Their vassals,—every palace voids a horde
Of armed retainers.

Rie.
By Our Lady's name,
I have not heard so glad a sound, since that
Which hailed me Tribune of the people! What!
These masking murderers turned to warrior knights?
Their mine of treason sprung! Now we shall work
In daylight. Toll the bell—summon the guards!—
Sweet, to thy chamber!

[To Claudia.
Cla.
Angelo!

Alb.
He leads
The rebel force.

Cla.
'Tis false!

Alb.
I would it were.

Cla.
Thou liest,—he is no rebel. Whom he leads,
Are friends to aid the Tribune. Be they not,
Camillo? Speak, old man,—Be they not friends?

Cam.
Alas! sweet lady.

Cla.
Go not forth, dear father,—
They lie—be sure they lie,—yet go not forth!
Stay here with me! Avoid him!—stay with me!
Leave me not here alone!

Rie.
Peace, peace!

Cla.
I'll meet him.
Armed or unarmed, as friend or foe, I'll fly
To meet Lord Angelo. I am his wife—
His own true wife.

[Exit, R.
Rie.
Entice her to her chamber,
And watch that she escapes not.
[Exit Camillo, R.
Now, good captain,
Let the great bell, with loud and hasty tongue,
Summon the people, and the trumpet-sound
Collect the scattered guard. Be they all faithful?

Alb.
I'll answer for them with my life.

Rie.
What, ho!
My armour! See that Saladin be barbed
Complete in mail. By heaven, there is a joy
In fronting these proud nobles,—they who deem
Man valiant by descent.

Alb.
Shall we not send
To guard the city gates?

Rie.
To fling them wide!
Let the weak timid hare and wily fox
Fence their dank earthy holes,—the lion's den
Is open. We will fight for Rome and freedom,
Here in Rome's very streets, beside the hearths
Of the freed citizens, the households gods
Worshipped in every faith. Fling wide the gates!
I'll follow on the instant. Ho, my armour!

[Exeunt, R.