ankind,--stepping-stones in
civilisation, in liberty, and in knowledge. Our fathers forbid us to
recede,--they teach us what is our rightful heritage,--they bid us
reclaim, they bid us augment, that heritage,--preserve their virtues,
and avoid their errors. These are the true uses of the Past. Like the
sacred edifice in which we are,--it is a tomb upon which to rear a
temple. I see that you marvel at this long beginning; ye look to each
other--ye ask to what it tends. Behold this broad plate of iron; upon it
is graven an inscription but lately disinterred from the heaps of stone
and ruin, which--O shame to Rome!--were once the palaces of empire, and
the arches of triumphant power. The device in the centre of the table,
which you behold, conveys the act of the Roman Senators,--who are
conferring upon Vespasian the imperial authority. It is this inscription
which I have invited you to hear read! It specifies the very terms and
limits of the authority thus conferred. To the Emperor was
confided the power of making laws and alliances with whatsoever
nation,--of increasing, or of diminishing the limits of towns and
districts,--of--mark this, my Lords!--exalting men to the rank of dukes
and kings,--ay, and of deposing and degrading them;--of making cities,
and of unmaking: in short, of all the attributes of imperial power.
Yes, to that Emperor was confided this vast authority; but, by whom?
Heed--listen, I pray you--let not a word be lost;--by whom, I say? By
the Roman Senate! What was the Roman Senate? The Representative of the
Roman People!"

"I knew he would come to that!" said the smith, who stood at the door
with his fellows, but to whose ear, clear and distinct, rolled the
silver voice of Rienzi.

"Brave fellow! and this, too, in the hearing of the Lords!"

"Ay, you see what the people were! and we should never have known this
but for him."

"Peace, fellows;" said the officer to those of the crowd, from whom came
these whispered sentences.

Rienzi continued.--"Yes, it is the people who intrusted this power--to
the people, therefore, it belongs! Did the haughty Emperor arrogate the
crown? Could he assume the authority of himself? Was it born with
him? Did he derive it, my Lord Barons, from the possession of towered
castles--of lofty lineage? No! all-powerful as he was, he had no right
to one atom of that power, save from the voice and trust of the Roman
people. Such, O my countrymen! such was even that day, when Li