 | The True Tragedy of Rienzi Tribune of Rome |  |
Scene V.
—Before the Capitol.—On one side a colossal lion, at the head of a descending staircase.—Cecco del Vecchio, and a crowd of Citizens and Soldiers, with a spar of timber used as a battering-ram.Cecco.
Now, all together! Heave!
[They batter the door, which resists.
Again! (Door still resists.)
Once more!
[Door still resists.
1st Soldier.
Your ram is too weak; bring fire, and
smoke him from his hole.
Voices.
Good, good! Bring fire! Bring torches!
And some dry hay and wood, with tar for
a noble blaze.
[Exeunt several.
Cecco.
Give him another volley, in the name of the
Roman People. Let him dare to show his nose again.
Cits.
Deaths to the tyrant!
[They fling stones.
Enter Rienzi, disguised as a labourer, a bundle on his head.
Rien.
Up, comrades, by the secret stair! Up to the
tyrant; and then to plunder, to plunder!
[Exeunt Cecco and several Citizens.
2nd Sol.
(to Rien.).
What hast thou there?
[Pulls down the bundle.
1st Cit.
Lads, lads! This is himself! These are
his bracelets—see!
[Pulls off his disguise.
Rien.
I am Rienzi, friends—your will with me?
Cits.
To the lion with him! To the lion!
Others.
Ay, ay, to the place of execution! Let him
stand where he made many a poor fellow stand before!
[They drag him to the lion.
Rien.
Alas! poor souls, ye know not what ye do.
Stand back from me!
(They fall back.)
Let me but speak one word!
Cits.
No, not a word! One word, and thou diest!
[A long pause, during which Rienzi looks round upon the crowd, who menace him at each attempt to speak.
Re-enter Cecco and Citizens.
Cecco.
He is not there!
He is here—look, man, where he stands!
Cecco
(having gazed awhile).
'Tis time we made an
end of this. Death to the tyrant!
[Draws dagger.
Rien.
What, Cecco, is it thou?
Cecco.
Not Cecco, tyrant, but the Roman People.
Rien.
Then here falls Rome, stabbed by the Roman People.
Cecco.
Death to the tyrant!
[Stabs him.
All.
Death to the tyrant!
[They close around, stabbing him. He falls and dies.
CURTAIN.
| The True Tragedy of Rienzi Tribune of Rome | |