A succession of savage yells interrupted the orator.
"Bread! Bread!" was cried on all sides.
"Open the gates! Down with the ranter!"
"Brothers, fellow-countrymen," resumed Oberto, "think of the glories of the past! Are you willing to wear the yoke of slavery?"
"Ah! our past glories. We are too wretched and humble now; it will do to talk of that when we are in prosperity. Give us food!"
"Fellow-citizens, do not torture me with your reproaches. I suffer from hunger, like yourselves; but I prefer death to the loss of that liberty which our ancestors have bequeathed to us."
"Bah! we are not such fools!" yelled the crowd. "Life is better than liberty!"
"The man is mad!" cried a voice; "he advises us to die of starvation!"
"He is mad! Yes, the gold paid him for his treason inspires his tongue! Comrades, let us go and open the gates!"
"Long live the Emperor! Hurrah for bread!"