ke
himself Master of the Capitol, and of what was considered an auxiliary
of no common importance--viz. the Great Bell, by whose alarum Rienzi
had so often summoned to arms the Roman people. Baroncelli was crowned
Tribune, clothed in a robe of gold brocade, and invested with the
crozier-sceptre of Rienzi. At first, his cruelty against the great took
the appearance of protection to the humble; but the excesses of his sons
(not exaggerated in the text), and his own brutal but bold ferocity,
soon made him execrated by the people, to whom he owed his elevation. He
had the folly to declare against the Pope; and this it really was that
mainly induced Innocent to restore, and oppose to their New Demagogue,
the former and more illustrious Tribune. Baroncelli, like Rienzi, was
excommunicated; and in his instance, also, the curse of the Church
was the immediate cause of his downfall. In attempting flight he was
massacred by the mob, December, 1353. Some, however, have maintained
that he was slain in combat with Rienzi; and others, by a confusion
of dates, have made him succeed to Rienzi on the death of the
latter.--Matteo Villani, lib. iii. cap. 78. Osservaz. Stor. di Zefirino
Re. MS. Vat. Rip. dal Bzovio, ann. 1353. N. 2.) a new demagogue, a
humble imitator of Rienzi, rose upon the ruins of the peace broken by
the nobles, obtained the title of Tribune, and carried about the very
insignia used by his predecessor. But less wise than Rienzi, he took
the antipapal party. And the Legate was thus enabled to play the papal
demagogue against the usurper. Baroncelli was a weak man, his sons
committed every excess in mimicry of the highborn tyrants of Padua and
Milan. Virgins violated and matrons dishonoured, somewhat contrasted the
solemn and majestic decorum of Rienzi's rule;--in fine, Baroncelli fell
massacred by the people. And now, if you ask what rules Rome, I answer,
'It is the hope of Rienzi.'"

"A strange man, and various fortunes. What will be the end of both!"

"Swift murder to the first, and eternal fame to the last," answered
Montreal, calmly. "Rienzi will be restored; that brave phoenix will wing
its way through storm and cloud to its own funereal pyre: I foresee, I
compassionate, I admire.--And then," added Montreal, "I look beyond!"

"But wherefore feel you so certain that, if restored, Rienzi must fall?"

"Is it not clear to every eye, save his, whom ambition blinds? How can
mortal genius, however great, rule that most