AGNES. The sash. If you make use of that, I can assist. "T is a dreadful office, and I'll spare Thy trembling hands the guilt. Steal fo the door, The happiest of mankind. Deluded wretch! Thy thoughts are perishing; thy youthful joys, Are withering in their bloom. Of every joy, and even hope itself, As I have done. Why do I mourn him, then? [Exit. A ROMAN PATRIOT. From MISS MITFORD'S Tragedy of RIENZI. CHARACTERS: COLA DI RIENZI, Tribune of the People, [This noble play-grand in conception of character, and magnificent in execution-gives us the most interesting incidents in the life of Rienzi, the last of the Tribunes. This true patriot, fired by a love of liberty, rouses the people to shake off the yoke of the nobles and once more make Rome a Republic. By his fervid eloquence he succeeds in firing the popular heart, and is elected ruler, by the people. Meanwhile his daughter, Claudia, and young Angelo become enamored of each other. Angelo, however, joining the aristocratic party is beheaded by the rulers of the Republic. Rienzi attempts in vain to save him, and is himself slain by the spears of the citizens. In reciting this eloquent extract the speakers may address themselves to the citizens who may be placed off the stage, if necessary, thus doing away with necessity of costuming so many mere auxil iaries. COSTUMES.-Rienzi may wear a garb like that of the olden Roman Senators-i. e., the toga and mantle. Angelo, a rich Italian dress: close fitting shape, and short mantle, with velvet cap and long ostrich plume. Alberti, same form of dress as Angelo but of coarser materials. The opening scene takes place in the street before the gates of the Capitol.] Enter RIENZI, and ALBERTI from 2 E. L., down C. RIE (advancing to the front). Darkness! did ye never The CITIZENS off, shout. Rienzi! Live brave Rienzi honest Cola! RIE. Friends! CITIZENS (off). Long live Rienzi! RIE. Friends, I come not here to talk. Ye know too well We are slaves! Slave to a horde Of petty tyrants, feudal despots; lords Rich in some dozen paltry villages, Strong in some hundred spearman,-only great In that strange spell-a name. Each hour, dark fraud, Cry out against them. But this very day, An honest man, my neighbor. (pointing to PAOLO, off R. corner)-there he stands, Was struck,-struck like a dog, by one who wore He tossed not high his ready cap in air, At sight of that great ruffian. Be we men, And suffer such dishonor? Men, and wash not The stain away in blood? Such shames are common: How I loved That gracious boy! Younger by fifteen years, The corpse, the mangled corpse, and when I cried Have ye brave sons?-Look in the next fierce brawl Once again, I swear, Shall walk with princes. Ere to-morrow's dawn, FIRST CIT. Hush! Who passes there? By his proud bearing. Seize him. RIE. As I deem, good Alberti, "Tis Angelo Colonna. Touch him not,— I would hold parley with him. The hour is nigh. Away! Enter ANGELO COLONNA, L. Now, sir! (to ANGELO.) ANG. (L.). What be ye, That thus in stern and watchful mystery To hear a stranger's foot? RIE. Romans. ANG. And wherefore Meet ye, my countrymen? ANG. Surely. Thou art Cola di Rienzi? RIE. Ay, that voice, The traitor voice. ANG. I knew thee by the words. Who, save thyself, in this bad age, when man RIE. I shall teach The world to blend those words, as in the days To hail the union. I have seen thee hang On tales of the world's mistress; thy young hand Pass on! pass whilst thou may! (crosses to L.) Even now my spirit leaps up at the thought With the golden blaze of heaven; but past and gone, RIE. A dream! Dost see yon phalanx, still and stern? An hundred leaders, each with such a band, Wait with suppressed impatience till they hear The great bell of the Capitol, to spring At once on their proud foes. Join them. ANG. My father! RIE. Already he hath quitted Rome. ANG. My kinsmen ! RIE. We are too strong for contest. Thou shall see No other change within our peaceful streets Than that of slaves to freemen. Such a change As is the silent step from night to day, From darkness into light. We talk too long. Will be the gaol, the gibbet, or the axe, The keen retort of power. Why, I have reasoned; 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, marched at their mother's hist, Their lovers in this cause. I have one yonder, Claudia Rienzi,-thou hast seen the maid A silly trembler, a slight fragile toy, 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. Save a true champion of the cause. None shall wed her, ANG. I'll join ye: (gives his hand to RIENZI.) How shall I swear? RIE. (to the people). friends, comrades, countrymen ! To join your band. (All the CITIZENS shout)-He's welcome! By Rome-by freedom-by Rienzi! Comrades, 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, Call me the Tribune of the people: there My honoring duty lies. (the CITIZENS off, shout, Hail to our Tribune!-The bell sounds thrice; shouts again.) Hark-the bell, the bell! That, to the city and the plain, Proclaims the glorious tale Of Rome re-born, and Freedom. See, the clouds Sails in the clear blue sky, and million stars Look out on us, and smile. (ALBERTI lays the keys at RIEN ZI'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 is entering the Capitol, he pauses. Oh, glorious wreck Of gods and Cæsars! thou shalt reign again, CITIZENS (of). Live Rienzi-live our Tribune! [Exit. |