“If I studied only to hear what pleased me, Angelo, I should never have returned to Rome.”
“Why, then, I heard a constable of the Northmen say, meaningly, that the place will not be carried.”
“Humph! And what said the captains of my Roman Legion?”
“My Lord, I have heard it whispered that they fear defeat less than they do the revenge of the Barons, if they are successful.”
“And with such tools the living race of Europe and misjudging posterity will deem that the workman is to shape out the Ideal and the Perfect! Bring me yon Bible.”
As Angelo reverently brought to Rienzi the sacred book, he said,
“Just before I left my companions below, there was a rumour that the Lord Adrian Colonna had been imprisoned by his kinsman.”
“I too heard, and I believe, as much,” returned Rienzi: “these Barons would gibbet their own children in irons, if there were any chance of the shackles growing rusty for want of prey. But the wicked shall be brought low, and their strong places shall be made desolate.”
“I would, my Lord,” said Villani, “that our Northmen had other captains than these Provencals.”
“Why?” asked Rienzi, abruptly.