“Vicar,” said he, abruptly, to the Bishop, “we might well need your presence. Learn that at the Capitol now sits the Council in judgment upon an assassin. Last night, but for Heaven’s mercy, I should have fallen a victim to a hireling’s dagger, Knew you aught of this?”
And he turned so sharply on the Bishop, that the poor canonist nearly dropped from his horse in surprise and terror.
“I,—” said he.
Rienzi smiled—“No, good my Lord Bishop! I see you are of no murtherer’s mould. But to continue:—that I might not appear to act in mine own cause, I ordered the prisoner to be tried in my absence. In his trial (you marked the letter brought me at our banquet?)—”
“Ay, and you changed colour.”
“Well I might: in his trial, I say, he has confessed that nine of the loftiest lords of Rome were his instigators. They sup with me tonight!—Vicar, forwards!”
BOOK V. THE CRISIS.
“Questo ha acceso ‘i fuoco e la fiamma laquale non la par
spotegnere.”—“Vita di Cola di Rienzi”, lib. i. cap. 29.
“He has kindled fire and flames which he will not be able to
extinguish.”—“Life of Cola di Rienzi”.