Rienzi, the Last of the Roman Tribunes

by Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton

RIENZI,

The Last of the Roman Tribunes

by

Edward Bulwer Lytton

Then turn we to her latest Tribune’s name,
From her ten thousand tyrants turn to thee,
Redeemer of dark centuries of shame—
The friend of Petrarch—hope of Italy—
Rienzi, last of Romans! While the tree
Of Freedom’s wither’d trunk puts forth a leaf,
Even for thy tomb a garland let it be—
The Forum’s champion, and the People’s chief—
Her new-born Numa thou!
Childe Harold, cant. iv. stanza 114.

Amidst the indulgence of enthusiasm and eloquence, Petrarch,
Italy, and Europe, were astonished by a revolution, which
realized for a moment his most splendid visions.—Gibbon,
chap. 1xx.

Dedication of Rienzi.