sufficient!"
Next came two hundred fantassins, or foot-soldiers, of Tuscany, with the
corselets and arms of the heavy-armed soldiery--a gallant company, and
whose cheerful looks and familiar bearing appeared to sympathise
with the crowd. And in truth they did so,--for they were Tuscans,
and therefore lovers of freedom. In them, too, the Romans seemed to
recognise natural and legitimate allies,--and there was a general cry of
"Vivano i bravi Toscani!"
"Poor defence!" thought the more sagacious Colonna; "the Barons can awe,
and the mob corrupt them."
Next came a file of trumpeters and standard-bearers;--and now the sound
of the music was drowned by shouts, which seemed to rise simultaneously
as from every quarter of the city;--"Rienzi! Rienzi!--Welcome,
welcome!--Liberty and Rienzi! Rienzi and the Good Estate!" Flowers
dropped on his path, kerchiefs and banners waved from every
house;--tears might be seen coursing, unheeded, down bearded
cheeks;--youth and age were kneeling together, with uplifted hands,
invoking blessings on the head of the Restored. On he came the
Senator-Tribune--"the Phoenix to his pyre!"
Robed in scarlet, that literally blazed with gold, his proud head bared
in the sun, and bending to the saddle bow, Rienzi passed slowly through
the throng. Not in the flush of that hour were visible, on his glorious
countenance, the signs of disease and care: the very enlargement of his
proportions gave a greater majesty to his mien. Hope sparkled in his
eye--triumph and empire sat upon his brow. The crowd could not contain
themselves; they pressed forward, each upon each, anxious to catch the
glance of his eye, to touch the hem of his robe. He himself was deeply
affected by their joy. He halted; with faltering and broken words,
he attempted to address them. "I am repaid," he said,--"repaid for
all;--may I live to make you happy!"
The crowd parted again--the Senator moved on--again the crowd closed
in. Behind the Tribune, to their excited imagination, seemed to move the
very goddess of ancient Rome.
Upon a steed, caparisoned with cloth of gold;--in snow-white robes,
studded with gems that flashed back the day,--came the beautiful and
regal Nina. The memory of her pride, her ostentation, all forgotten in
that moment, she was scarce less welcome, scarce less idolized, than her
lord. And her smile all radiant with joy--her lip quivering with proud
and elate emotion,--never had she seemed at once so born ali
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