pirit
of the one, the tears and grief of the other (who saw at one fell stroke
perish the house of her betrothed,) had not worked without effect upon
a temper, stern and just indeed, but naturally averse from blood; and a
heart capable of the loftiest species of revenge.

He entered the Council, still sitting, with a calm brow, and even a
cheerful eye.

"Pandulfo di Guido," he said, turning to that citizen, "you are right;
you spoke as a wise man and a patriot, when you said that to cut off
with one blow, however merited, the noblest heads of Rome would endanger
the State, sully our purple with an indelible stain, and unite the
nobility of Italy against us."

"Such, Tribune, was my argument, though the Council have decided
otherwise."

"Hearken to the shouts of the populace, you cannot appease their honest
warmth," said the demagogue Baroncelli.

Many of the Council murmured applause.

"Friends," said the Tribune, with a solemn and earnest aspect, "let
not Posterity say that Liberty loves blood; let us for once adopt
the example and imitate the mercy of our great Redeemer! We have
triumphed--let us forbear; we are saved--let us forgive!"

The speech of the Tribune was supported by Pandulfo, and others of the
more mild and moderate policy; and for a short but animated discussion,
the influence of Rienzi prevailed, and the sentence of death was
revoked, but by a small majority.

"And now," said Rienzi, "let us be more than just; let us be generous.
Speak--and boldly. Do any of ye think that I have been over-hard,
over-haughty with these stubborn spirits?--I read your answer in your
brows!--I have! Do any of ye think this error of mind may have stirred
them to their dark revenge? Do any of you deem that they partake, as we
do, of human nature,--that they are sensible to kindness, that they are
softened by generosity,--that they can be tamed and disarmed by such
vengeance as is dictated to noble foes by Christian laws?"

"I think," said Pandulfo, after a pause, "that it will not be in human
nature, if the men you pardon, thus offending and thus convicted, again
attempt your life!"

"Methinks," said Rienzi, "we must do even more than pardon. The first
great Caesar, when he did not crush a foe, strove to convert him to a
friend--"

"And perished by the attempt," said Baroncelli, abruptly.

Rienzi started and changed colour.

"If you would save these wretched prisoners, better not wait till the
fury of the mo