“Right, Nina, right!  Heaven (and the Tribune, who ever recognised, in his own fortunes, the agency of the hand above, crossed himself reverently) will preserve him to whom it hath vouchsafed such lofty visions of the future redemption of the Land of the true Church, and the liberty and advancement of its children!  This I trust:  already many of the cities of Tuscany have entered into treaties for the formation of this league; nor from a single tyrant, save John di Vico, have I received aught but fair words and flattering promises.  The time seems ripe for the grand stroke of all.”

“And what is that?” demanded Nina, wonderingly.

“Defiance to all foreign interference.  By what right does a synod of stranger princes give Rome a king in some Teuton Emperor?  Rome’s people alone should choose Rome’s governor;—­and shall we cross the Alps to render the title of our master to the descendants of the Goth?”

Nina was silent:  the custom of choosing the sovereign by a diet beyond the Rhine, reserving only the ceremony of his subsequent coronation for the mock assent of the Romans, however degrading to that people, and however hostile to all nations of substantial independence, was so unquestioned at that time, that Rienzi’s daring suggestion left her amazed and breathless, prepared as she was for any scheme, however extravagantly bold.

“How!” said she, after a long pause; “do I understand aright?  Can you mean defiance to the Emperor?”

“Why, listen:  at this moment there are two pretenders to the throne of Rome—­to the imperial crown of Italy—­a Bohemian and a Bavarian.  To their election our assent—­Rome’s assent—­is not requisite—­not asked.  Can we be called free—­can we boast ourselves republican—­when a stranger and a barbarian is thus thrust upon our necks?  No, we will be free in reality as in name.  Besides, (continued the Tribune, in a calmer tone,) this seems to me politic as well as daring.  The people incessantly demand wonders from me:  how can I more nobly dazzle, more virtuously win them, than by asserting their inalienable right to choose their own rulers?  The daring will awe the Barons, and foreigners themselves; it will give a startling example to all Italy; it will be the first brand of an universal blaze.  It shall be done, and with a pomp that befits the deed!”

“Cola,” said Nina, hesitatingly, “your eagle spirit often ascends where mine flags to follow; yet be not over bold.”

“Nay, did you not, a moment since, preach a different doctrine?  To be strong, was I not to seem strong?”

“May fate preserve you!” said Nina, with a foreboding sigh.

“Fate!” cried Rienzi; “there is no fate!  Between the thought and the success, God is the only agent; and (he added with a voice of deep solemnity) I shall not be deserted.  Visions by night, even while thine arms are around me; omens and impulses, stirring and divine, by day, even in the midst of the living crowd—­encourage my path, and point my goal.  Now, even now, a voice seems to whisper in my ear—­’Pause not; tremble not; waver not;—­for the eye of the All-Seeing is upon thee, and the hand of the All-Powerful shall protect!”